David See-Chai Lam, developer, philanthropist, Lieutenant Governor 1988-1995.
Born: July 25, 1923 in Hong Kong. Died: November 22, 2010 in Vancouver.
The Honourable David See-Chai Lam was sworn-in as British Columbia's 25th Lieutenant-Governor in September, 1988. Born in Hong Kong, the grandson of a Baptist minister, he received a Christian upbringing before taking an Economics degree at Lingnan University in China and an MBA from Temple University in Philadelphia. He pursued a career in banking in Hong Kong for 18 years before making Canada his home in 1967. He became a Canadian citizen in 1972.
He entered the development field, eventually founding his own investment firm. In 1982, he concluded his professional business interests, and at that time devoted his life to philanthropic pursuits. He and Dorothy provided substantial gifts to higher educational institutions and worthy community projects through their charitable Foundations.
In 1988, he was awarded the prestigious Order of Canada and in 1995, the Order of British Columbia. Honorary degrees were awarded by the University of British Columbia (1987), Baylor University (1990), Simon Fraser University (1991), Eastern College (1991), Royal Roads Military College (1991), Hong Kong Baptist College (1992) and the University of Victoria (1995).
Dr. Lam attributed his business and personal success to combining the best of Christian and Confucian ideals. As Lieutenant Governor he shared those experiences which contributed positively to the challenges of a changing world.
Dr. Lam's vision of Canada included a place where immigrants will not only find refuge and opportunity, but also contribute the best of their cultures and unique backgrounds to the rich pluralism of this land. The combination of his imagination and generosity has had an enormous impact on the British Columbia community.