Dr. Thinh Dinh Ngo

Dr. Thinh Dinh Ngo, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and retired college professor whose quiet strength and acts of service defined his life, passed away peacefully in Sacramento, California on April 14, 2025, at the age of 88.

Born in Huế, Vietnam in 1937, he was among the first generation of Vietnamese students to pursue higher education abroad. After receiving a private academic scholarship, he journeyed to the United States in 1956, eventually earning a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering at the University of Minnesota and a masters and Ph.D. at Concordia University. His pursuit of knowledge brought him to the forefront of the space race as he worked for Pratt & Whitney and Aerojet, leaders of the industry in the design and manufacturing of aircraft and rocket engines. He also contributed to research funded by NASA. But he enjoyed teaching others the technical aspects of his work and became a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at California State University, Sacramento for 28 years.

But above all, he was a loving and devoted family man. He built his life with purpose in Vietnam, France, Canada, and the U.S., where he raised a family consisting of his wife, children, and grandchildren. He found love and joy in watching his sons’ and grandchildren’s professional, academic, and athletic accomplishments. He enjoyed playing musical instruments and ping-pong with his friends, doing Zumba, and gardening in his backyard.

He never sought recognition, yet those who knew him will remember his humility, resilience, and deeply rooted kindness. His legacy is not only in his work, but in the strength of his family and the lives he touched along the way.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Van, his children Tan and Tu-Son, his daughter-in-law Irene, and his grandchildren Michelle, Katie, Lindsey, and Victoria, who carry his spirit forward.