Robert Lu-Mo Lim

Robert Lu-Mo Lim of Encino, California, passed away peacefully on July 14, 2022, at the age of 87. He was born on May 20, 1935, in Pasay City, Philippines, to Lim Tiaw Ping and Teh Siu Ngo. From a very young age, Robert grew up in the flourishing, fashion-forward and modern city of Shanghai, China. Originally he hoped to study to become a musician or architect, but history intervened: At the start of the Cultural Revolution, he escaped to Hong Kong, and then migrated to the United States. He went on to earn his master's degree in engineering at UCLA, while working his way up to salesman of the year by knocking door-to-door on behalf of Fuller Brush Co. In 1966, he met and fell in love with Po Lan Mar; they married that same year. While Robert worked at Burroughs Corp. in Pasadena as a computer engineer, he and Po Lan opened their first clothing retail and tailoring store in Westwood, on Broxton Avenue, at the site of the Diddy Riese ice cream shop today. They went on to have three children — Mark, John and Florence — and built a successful women's clothing business called Lim's, which specialized in hand-crocheted and hand-embroidered goods imported from Shanghai. An intuitive businessman with savvy instincts, Robert had invested in property in Shanghai after China opened up in the late 1970s. Robert and Po Lan created a wonderful life for themselves and their family, often hosting gatherings at their Encino home to bring loved ones together. He enjoyed nothing more than spending time with family and friends during the holidays and other special occasions, and always had a soft spot in his heart for the family pet Lhasa Apsos: Sheeba, Mei Mei and Molani. Robert is survived by his wife Po Lan; son Mark and daughter Florence; daughters-in law Nozomi and Laura; son-in-law Kolja; and grandchildren Forrest, Sakura and Kokoro. He was predeceased by his son John. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn in Glendale, California.