David Lam

Early life David See-chai Lam was born in Hong Kong on July 25, 1923; he was the second oldest of nine children of Lam Chi Fung, a Hong Kong coal importer and distributor, and Chan Chik-Ting Lam. When Lam turned 18, his plans to attend university were sidelined by World War II. During the war, he worked in the administration of the family’s coal business, and his life was often at risk. Among the close calls, Lam was bombed at a dock, chased by pirates, and opted not to board a ship that was later torpedoed. Understanding the danger, Chi Fung decided it was time for Lam to undertake his university studies.

In 1947, Lam earned a degree in economics from Lingnan University in Hong Kong. Together they had three daughters: Deborah, Daphne, and Doreen.

Career Lam became a prominent real estate entrepreneur in Vancouver, and was a leading proponent of many groundbreaking real estate development ventures. The company he founded is now known as Pacific Canadian Investments (PCI). He is also noted for being a leading philanthropist. He founded the Floribunda Philanthropic Society, and the David & Dorothy Lam Foundation. He donated substantial funds to cultural projects in his adopted province and country. He served as Chairman of Hong Kong Baptist College, trustee of the Chancellor's Circle at the University of British Columbia, which later awarded him an honorary degree, and was a benefactor to the David C. Lam Institute for East-West Studies at Hong Kong Baptist University. In 1986, he helped found the Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival.

Lieutenant governor In 1988 Governor General Jeanne Sauvé, on the advice of Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, appointed him lieutenant governor. Lam represented the Crown during the term of three Premiers: William Vander Zalm, Rita Johnston, and Michael Harcourt.

He formally ended the practice of lieutenant governors wearing the Windsor uniform. This practice was reinstated by Lieutenant Governor Steven Point.

Lam was Canada's second non-white lieutenant governor (the first being Lincoln Alexander of Ontario) and was the first Asian Canadian as well as the first Chinese Canadian lieutenant governor.

Honours In 1988, he was made a Knight of Justice of the Order of St. John and Vice-Prior of the Order from 1988 to 1995. In 1988, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada and was promoted to Officer in 1995. In 1994, he was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) by the Queen in 1994. In 1995, he was awarded the Order of British Columbia. In 1995, David Lam Park in Vancouver, BC was named after him.

Death Lam died on November 22, 2010, from prostate cancer at the age of 87. He was predeceased by his wife of 43 years, Dorothy, who died in 1997, and survived by three children and seven grandchildren.

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