Bob Ming-Chieng Liu

Bob Ming-Chieng Liu was a philosopher, a historian, a husband, a father and a grandfather. He passed away on Jan 14, 2026.

He had an infectious smile and a warm generosity that welcomed people. He was a philosopher, a historian, a husband, a father and a grandfather. There was an innocent kindness to him that was only matched by his intense persistence which carried him throughout his life.

Born in Hubei, China, his family ran to Hong Kong as Communism swept China. He was thirteen and he lived by himself and worked at a factory, where he decided that he would do anything to go back to school. Luckily his parents agreed and he studied to catch up for the lost years, allowing him to join the school for refugees when they moved to Taiwan.

He built a life with Linda Jainn, starting out as poor college students in Taiwan and then United States, moving from San Diego to Corvallis and eventually to Sacramento, where they established their careers. He opted for computers over teaching mathematics, learning COBOL and supporting giant mainframes. He worked at his company for over twenty five years, the last person to shut the systems down and lock the door.

Nothing brought him as much joy as his daughters and his grandchildren. His face beamed when he saw them and we were all very lucky to be loved by him.

His love for our mom was a constant. They lived a full life together, raising us and then travelling all over in their retirement. When dementia hit her, he talked with her daily and ate with her. There is a comfort knowing they are together again.

In the end, he lived to be 91 in his Chinese years, 89 in American years because birthdays for immigrants can be complicated. He was healthy up until the last bit, in which cancer quickly metastasized and took him. He was able to have a peaceful death at home, which was what he wanted.

He always said, “I’ve lived a good life.” He will be greatly missed. We will carry his persistence and love with us always. He is survived by two daughters and two grandchildren.