My father, Kim Pham, was on his feet for the last time two Thursdays ago. Thursday is when the newspaper is prepared for the printer so that it can hit the streets on Friday. He was at his computer, putting the finishing touches on the front page. He loved this job, something he had been doing since he founded Northwest Vietnamese News in 1986. The next morning, when my brother brought him the print edition, he said, “the cover is beautiful. Let’s work on the next one.” That was the last cover page my father designed. He passed in his sleep this past Tuesday, March 30.
For as long as I can remember, the newspaper was like another child, a fourth sibling to my two younger brothers and I, Andy and Don. He took so much joy in elevating other people’s stories, especially those of younger Vietnamese Americans pursuing art, writing, journalism, and community-building work. I think he saw a younger version of himself in them.
My father loved sharing stories of our refugee community because he believed we as Vietnamese have much to be proud of, that we accomplished so much in the short time we’ve been in America. Before the pandemic, he would run around to different community events, sometimes three in one evening, and take photos. He especially loved showcasing grand openings of new Vietnamese-owned businesses and the reunions of Vietnamese veterans and classmates. He wanted to highlight positive-news, and was careful to maintain a balanced tone.
My father shied away from the spotlight himself. He preferred to promote others. A few years ago, he wanted to throw a reception to celebrate the publication of my book on the South Vietnamese military perspective. I resisted. I only agreed when he said, “The party isn’t for you. It’s for me and the newspaper, but I don’t want to say that.” He organized a sold-out reception with his best friend, the writer Pham Quoc Bao, professor Quyen Di, and favorite singers, Melanie NgaMy Tran and Cecilia Bach who flew into Seattle to share the stage.
Last December, he had a mild heart attack and the doctors discovered an inoperable aneurysm in his stomach. We were told he only had a few days, a few weeks left to live when we brought him home. He beat their expectations by four months. I moved back into my childhood home. We all lived together for the first time in over 20 years. Growing up, my parents worked all the time at the newspaper. Now that we were all working from home, we ate meals together every day, cooked lovingly by my mom and Don. My father told us often, “I have never been happier in my life.”
The only role Kim Pham loved more than being a newspaper publisher was being a father. He never pressured us to get high-paying jobs like many other Vietnamese parents. We felt he saw the light in each of us, and wanted to do whatever he could to make us shine brighter. He was encouraging, gentle, and generous. And he did that for our friends and so many others too. He would always ask about my Vietnamese American friends, listening for angles he could take to promote them in the newspaper.
He stayed alive long enough so he could properly honor in the newspaper his friends, like Dr. Dung Xuan Nguyen and Mr. Ben Tran along with Khoa Pham, who died too young. He held on to see Tommy Le’s family get justice.
I also encouraged my father to write his memoir. In the past, the thought of writing a memoir would have felt too self-promotional. Then he realized a memoir would be a way to promote other people. Before he got too weak, he stayed up late at night and woke up early in the morning to write. We often talked about the stories he remembered. He wrote by hand, then photographed his manuscript and his assistant editor, Dong Phuong Le would type it out. His memories flowed into weekly essays appearing in the newspaper. The memoir is set to be published by Khai Tri Publishing.
People have been asking what they can do. Please share your favorite stories of my father with us. We will include these stories in his memoir.
Julie Pham, 1 April 2021
Read the Vietnamese version: https://nvnorthwest.com/2021/04/nhung-ky-niem-sau-cung-de-nho-ve-bo-than-yeu/
I agree Mr Kim Pham always stayed in the background while promoting others. May he rest in peace and Nguoi Viet Tay Bac will continue to carry on the legacy he left behind.
Your father was very blessed to live and accomplish so much. Your also a wonderful daughter . He’s comfortable in heaven with friends and passed relatives . It’s ok. He’s doing fine. Take each day one at a time , he’s fortunate he passed so peacefully .
My first interaction with Kim Pham warmed my heart and was a bit fun. We were at a fundraising gala and he was video recording highlights of the event for his newspaper. He invited me to speak Vietnamese to his camera. I felt nervous about my broken Vietnamese and wrote him a note in English of what I wanted to say. He translated it into Vietnamese and I rehearsed it a few times in the ladies room. Then he recorded my testimony in my funny Vietnamese with his supported gaze. Kim Pham is loved by many. How special and life enriching you all united together over those family dinners during his last months.
Our condolences to your family. Rest in peace 🙏.
Huynh Thuong & Gia Dinh
Sorry to hear about your dad Julie and Andy. I didn’t know him, when I would come to the newspaper office he was always in the back area working away. Reading now about him, I wished I could have known him better as he is the type of man/father/person I think any community is so lucky to have and I’m sure he is reflected very much in the good character I have gotten to know in his kids.
I started writing for Người Việt Tây Bắc as early as 2013. Uncle Kim Pham made it easy to write and publish my writing with his newspaper. The inauguration of Vietnamese American Bar Association of Washington (VABAW) in 2006 with then Governor Gary Locke as keynote speaker was an important marker in the growth and maturity of our Vietnamese American community. Justice for Tommy Le. NVTB with uncle Kim Pham at the helm, served as a major bridge between communities. RIP chu Kim! You’ll be missed! 💖
Thank you for sharing such a warm and loving portrait of your father Julie. I look forward to reading and learning from his memoir. I feel like I know him through his legacy of raising such a wonderful, caring, and community-spirited daughter.
Julie, I am so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. I lived for years in Cambodia and recognize the power and persistence of journalism in the history of Southeast Asia, and clearly your father’s legacy in this home in the Pacific Northwest. I also worked in old-school printshops when I was young. Your father believing in the influence and importance of the written word and print journalism must be a testament to his intelligence. May his memory be a blessing, and may his legacy to you be cherished.
A wonderful, gracious, talented, and kind community builder.
Thanks You, Mr. Kim Phạm!
Julie, my condolences to you and your family on the loss of your father, and to the community for the loss of his significant voice.
Julie, I am saddened to hear of your father’s passing. I only met with him a few times, but his warmth, enthusiasm, and infectious smile left an indelible impression. Most memorable was his passion and care for the community. Wishing peace and comfort to you and your family.