Ernest Siew

Ernest Siew, 88, born on December 26, 1935, passed away July 26, 2024. 

Ernest Lieng Chen Siew was born December 26, 1935 in Nanjing China. He was the First born and favorite child of both father and mother. He was Very intelligent, an excellent student and read a lot. When the communist party took over China in 1949, the family had to flee. They sailed on a boat from Shanghai to Hong Kong. Ernest lived there for 3 years and attended English school in Hong Kong and he did quite well.

Ernest’s Father was a diplomat who traveled a lot. As such, he got to know other branches of the family. Most cousins went to Malaysia because they offered Chinese schools. Dooley and Chet, his brothers, went to Chinese schools while Ernest went to a Methodist English High School when he was 15 years old where he was the top student!

He applied and was accepted into Columbia University where he majored in chemistry. This was rare for someone from China at that time. He then continued his graduate studies at NYU where he received a Ph.D. in chemistry. After many years of perseverance, he obtained tenure at Hudson Valley College.

Annette, his wife, was working at Columbia Medical School as a cytologist. They met each other at a Chinese college student social party.  He was preceded in death by his loving wife Annette.  Ernest is survived by their two sons Robert and Jeffrey, and his brother Chet and his wife Mabel, as well as his other brother Dooley and wife Pat,  and by many nephews.

Ernest was a very devoted teacher and beloved by his students, many of whom became life-long friends.