David Tong

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

07/13/1943 - 01/28/2025

 

 

David Tong, 81, a veteran journalist whose career included stints at newspapers across the Bay Area and in Honolulu, died at Walnut Creek Medical Center on Jan. 28, 2025.

A loving husband, father and grandfather, David was born in San Francisco in 1943, the son of Sing Yuk Tong and Chuck Gum Dai, immigrants from Zhongshan district, Guangdong Province, China. He grew up with his brothers, Benjamin, Roland and Collin in North Beach and Chinatown, where their father was part-owner of the Wing Hop, a produce store on Grant Street. David spent many years as a youth counselor for the Donaldina Cameron House and the Chinese Presbyterian Church.
Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minn., opened David's eyes to the world of politics, history, theater, and travel.

After a stint in law school, David joined the Peace Corps. He taught at a rural school in Nigeria until the Biafran War forced volunteers to leave. David then did a second tour, teaching in Sibu, Sarawak, Western Malaysia, on the island of Borneo, traveling to rural villages by boat and staying in longhouses.

David earned a master's degree in Asian Studies at the University of Hawaii and interned at the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
David met his wife, May, when both were grantees at the East-West Center at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu in 1970. They married in in Tiburon, Calif., in 1972, and their "honeymoon" was a year living in Hong Kong, continuing their Chinese language studies and traveling throughout Asia.
As part of a training program for minority journalists at Columbia University, David interned as a reporter at the San Francisco Examiner.
David took a job at The Honolulu Advertiser in 1975. His sons Jeffrey and Jason were born in Honolulu.

"I first met David at the old Examiner and later followed him to the Advertiser in the islands," said Robert Hollis, a retired reporter and editor. "He was a serious and gifted journalist who cared passionately about the people he wrote about and those who were his colleagues. If someone ran into a rough patch, he would do his best to help them out. He was a wonderful and loyal friend."
The Tongs returned to California in 1980 when David took a job at the Oakland Tribune, where he eventually became the business editor. He moved to the San Francisco Chronicle as assistant business editor in 1997.
"He was a patient, honest, caring editor who never lost his cool even when those around him (guilty as charged) were losing theirs," said Kathleen Pender, the Chronicle business editor who hired David. "He loved his family-and a good game of tennis."

One of the reporters whose work David edited, Ken Howe, went on to become business editor himself.
"David was a sensitive and perceptive editor who knew how to manage reporters," Ken said. "When it came to line editing, he had a deft touch."
While Ken sometimes argued with the edit, he ultimately accepted it. "I learned to trust his judgment," he said. "David Tong was a kind and thoughtful man who made my writing better. I'm sure he made everyone better whose life he touched."
David moved into the world of online journalism, working a couple of stints as an editor at TheStreet.com before retiring in 2012.

David always remained a student, taking lessons in Spanish, the ukulele, yoga, and ballroom dancing.
He was an avid reader of history, philosophy, poetry, religion, and the occasional how-to book to improve his tennis strategy or golf swing. He loved watching sports and enjoyed the dynasties of the 49ers, the Giants, and the Warriors. When he no longer could play tennis, he turned to tai chi and dancing, mastering the Viennese waltz.
After the children were grown, David and May indulged their mutual love of culture and food and traveled to France, Spain, Indonesia, Mexico, Cuba, Machu Picchu, Argentina (to dance the tango), Egypt, and Jordan. One of their best trips was to Provence, where they stayed at a French farm house with friends.
Above all, David enjoyed the company of others, making friends wherever he went. His wholehearted support for family knew no bounds, and he always made Sunday family dinners his priority.

David is survived by his beloved wife, May Tong; sons, Jeffrey (Ikkyu) Tong and Jason Tong; four grandchildren, Joshua, Malia, Kyler, and Angelique; brother Ben (Lori) and nephew, Erik (Alee).
A Celebration of Life will be held at Montclair Presbyterian Church, 5701 Thornhill Rd., Montclair, CA, on March 23, 2025, at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Doctors Without Borders.

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Published by San Francisco Chronicle on Mar. 12, 2025.