Benjamin Tom

Benjamin Tom passed away peacefully on September 5, 2017 in San Francisco in the loving company of his wife, Ruby Tom, his children and grandchildren. He was 91 years old.

Born in 1926 to Lue Shee and Suey Tom at his family’s home in Marysville, California, he grew up in Marysville attending Mary Covillaud Elementary School and then Marysville High School.

Ben attended the University of California at Berkeley, graduating circa 1948 with a degree in Business Administration. He met his wife, Ruby, while attending UC Berkeley and they married in San Francisco in 1954, raising a family of four children. He made his career at the California State PUC, but his real calling was serving the San Francisco and Chinese American communities by becoming politically active in local organizations such as the Chinese American Democratic Club, Chinese for Affirmative Action, Chinese American Citizens Alliance, parent/teacher organizations and various neighborhood groups. He was an active and vocal supporter of the integration of San Francisco’s public schools in the late 1960’s, and collaborated directly with other community activists on the desegregation plan for the school district.

Ben’s activism led to running for public office. He campaigned for the San Francisco Board of Education and won a seat in 1976. He was the first Asian-American to win a citywide vote for public office in San Francisco. While in office he championed bilingual education and the inclusion of ethnic studies in the public school system. He also became the Board’s President during his tenure. His commitment to civic activism and politics compelled him to make a run for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in the early 1980’s. Ben came close to winning a seat, but ultimately was unsuccessful. He continued to serve on the San Francisco Board of Education, was nominated to the State Board of Education for a time, and was honored several times for his service on both boards by various community groups.

In retirement, Ben remained active in community organizations and served on the boards of the Chinese American Democratic Club and the Hearing Society. He had a lifelong passion for the arts and cultures of the world. He loved the opera, symphony, theater, film, museums, culinary pursuits, and San Francisco nightlife. A voracious reader, he soaked up knowledge and information on all of his interests. He was a virtual walking encyclopedia of where to eat and drink, listen to live jazz, view the latest art exhibits and films, and see current plays and musicals, not only in San Francisco, but other cosmopolitan locales as well.

Everyone who knew him will remember him for his vitality, intellectual curiosity, optimistic spirit, dry humor, generosity and kindness. Ben loved people and cherished family. An only child, he was close to his many cousins and extended family.

Ben is survived by his wife, Ruby; his four children, Lauren, Anthony, Rulan, and Adam; and six grandchildren. Donations in honor of Ben’s memory may be sent to the Booker T. Washington Community Service Center, 800 Presidio Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94115 and to SPARK*SF, Fund Development Office, 135 Van Ness Avenue, Room 119, San Francisco, CA 94102.