Alfred 111111111 Ho

Past from this earth January 26, 2014 in the loving company of his eldest daughter, Jenny Ho, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Born March 12, 1919 to father, Yuanxi Ho and mother Qishan Gung in Beijing, China. His childhood was spent in poverty but he excelled in academics and attended college and graduate school on scholarships. He first came to the United States by boat in 1941, making the 21 day crossing on the baggage deck. He recalled seeing the Japanese armada headed toward Pearl Harbor, in retrospect. After arriving in San Francisco, he made his way to Seattle and the University of Washington where he earned a masters degree. He then went to Princeton University to earn his Ph.D. in political science in 1944. This proved to be a very pivotal year, as he also met and married the love of his life, Marjorie Kao, who was attending Sarah Lawrence College at the time. The two remained together until her passing in 2002. The turbulent war years were spent in Washington, D.C. Alfred worked in the Chinese Embassy and Marjorie at the Chinese Admiralty. Jenny was born during that time. After the war, a sense of service led Alfred to take the young family back to China in 1946 to teach. The second daughter, Laura was born there. The time in China proved to be short lived as the communist take-over forced the family to return to the freedom of the United States by 1949. The family settled in California with Alfred finding work teaching Chinese at the Army Language School, Fort Ord in Monterey for nine years. Following his career, Alfred moved the family again, this time to Los Angeles where he taught economics at Los Angeles City College and studied at U.C.L.A where he received a masters degree and subsequent Ph.D. in economics. After nine years in Los Angeles, he moved the family to Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1967 for his final career move, to become professor of economics at Western Michigan University. There he taught for 22 years until his retirement in 1989 at age 70. Alfred will be remembered for his superior intellect, his academic achievement, his love of China and the United States, and his devotion to family. He is survived by his four children: Jenny Ho, Laura Ho-Fineman (Lee Fineman), Dr. Henry Ho (Christine Osterink) and Dr. Laurence Ho (Mary Ellen Flaherty). He was the loving grandfather to Elizabeth (Ho) Todd (Frank Todd) and Rebecca Ho, Benjamin and Jesse Fineman, and Michael and Jennifer Ho. He laughed and played with his great grand daughter, Ivy Liang Todd (Elizabeth and Frank). He is also survived by two brothers: Guochu and Guomo Ho and a sister: Xiaoying Ho. According to his wishes, he will be cremated and a memorial service is planned in the spring, announcement forthcoming. Avink Funeral Home in Schoolcraft, Michigan is caring for him.