Robert Hung Ngai Ho ’56, H’11, philanthropist, patron of contemporary Buddhism, and newspaper journalist and editor, passed away in Vancouver, Canada, on Nov. 30, 2025, at the age of 93.
Born in Hong Kong, Ho’s early years there were interrupted by the war, and he spent several years in southwestern China. After the war, Ho returned to Hong Kong to complete his secondary school education at Lingnan University. He then furthered his studies at Colgate University and Columbia Journalism School.
Ho returned to Hong Kong to be involved in various businesses; however, his callings were in journalism and serving society. As a journalist, he led the Kung Sheung daily and evening newspapers and served as chairman of the Newspaper Society of Hong Kong, with an agenda for global exchange and social responsibility in journalism. During this time, he was also chairman of The Community Chest of Hong Kong and Tung Lin Kok Yuen Hong Kong and a trustee of Lingnan University. Later in life, he established Tung Lin Kok Yuen Canada, the Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation, and the online journal Buddhistdoor Global.
He was the son of General Ho Shai Lai and grandson of Sir Robert Ho Tung. Continuing the legacy of his family’s philanthropy and guided by one of his mottos, “Before you can receive, you must learn to give,” Ho’s philanthropic work through his foundation focused on two areas: Buddhism and cultural heritage. With Buddhism it was to make Buddhist wisdom and practice relevant to contemporary society and life, supporting Buddhist studies at various universities in Hong Kong and North America. On the cultural side, it was bringing Chinese arts to Western audiences, sponsoring exhibitions and cultural events worldwide.
In Vancouver, where he resided for more than 30 years, Ho gave generously to the Vancouver General and the Lions Gate hospitals, supporting medical research, mental health services, professional development, and palliative care programs.
Another of Ho’s mottos, “When drinking water, remember its source,” inspired his many donations to Colgate, including the University’s state-of-the-art Robert H.N. Ho Science Center, with its Ho Tung Visualization Laboratory, and the Robert H.N. Ho Mind, Brain, and Behavior Center — home of the Robert Hung Ngai Ho Mind, Brain, and Behavior Initiative. Among his many other contributions to the physical and intellectual landscape of Colgate are an endowed chair in Asian studies, an endowment to support the China Study Group, and the Robert H.N. Ho Lecture Room in Lawrence Hall.
Ho was appointed a justice of the peace by the Hong Kong government. He was awarded honorary degrees from universities in Hong Kong, the United States, and Canada. His contribution to Canada was recognized through his appointment to the Order of British Columbia and the Order of Canada. He was deeply respected by his fellow citizens, and the impact of his work will continue to reverberate across generations.
He is survived by his wife, Greta; his children, Robert and Kevin; his daughter-in-law, Raquel; and his five grandchildren, Robert Damian, Lachlan, Kiara, Madeleine, and Theodore.