March 9, 2022
The United Board is deeply saddened to share news of the loss of our beloved colleague, faithful United Board supporter, and long-time friend, Dr. David Kwang-sun Suh, who passed away on February 26 at the age of 92 in Seoul, South Korea, after contracting COVID-19.
David served as Dean of the Faculty of Arts of Ewha Womans University in Seoul and a visiting professor at Union Theological Seminary in New York before joining the United Board as a trustee from 2000 to 2001. He went on to serve as Vice President for Programs from 2001 to 2006 and helped to establish the United Board’s office in Hong Kong. In the latter role, he initiated several new program initiatives, including the Asian Chaplaincy Fellowship, the Asian Christian Faculty Fellowship, the Asian University Leadership Program, and the Institute for Advanced Study in Asian Cultures and Theologies.
David is remembered fondly by those who knew and worked with him. “I was always impressed by David’s inspired leadership,” said Nancy Chapman, President of the United Board. “We are grateful for his many contributions to the work of our organization.” “David was a man of vision who not only talked the talk, but also walked the walk, and never stopped pursuing his dreams,” shared Wai Ching Angela Wong, United Board Vice President for Programs.
“A great star has fallen, but the skies are made brighter because of his life,” said Heasun Kim, United Board Trustee and Director of Scranton Women’s Leadership Center, who considered David’s leadership and dedication to Christian higher education in Asia a source of inspiration. “May God comfort those he loved, especially the United Board, for that’s where his love and passion for humanity was expressed until the end of his life.”
David’s family paid their last tribute to him at Bongwon Church in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, on March 2, 2022.
Condolence messages to the bereaved family can be sent to ubhk@unitedboard.org.
To find out more about David’s life and his work at the United Board, please see the profile included in The People of Our Mission here.