Peter “Gam Wah” Yip

September 1, 1937 – July 8th, 2020

On Wednesday, July 8th, 2020, Peter “Gam Wah” Yip, loving husband and father of three children, passed away at the age of 82 on his ten acre farm in Damascus, Oregon.

Peter was born on September 1, 1937 in Toisan, China, just as a military invasion by Japanese Imperial forces was set to occupy Hong Kong and the rest of the Pearl River Delta.  The resulting atrocities left him and his sisters, Mona and Ah-Mei, parentless and scrambling to survive.  Peter and Mona were able to imigrate first to Canada, and then to the United States, where they were able to live the American dream.  On June 16, 1978, Peter married Grace Leong.  They raised one son, Adam, and one daughter, Andrea.

With the starvation of his childhood years always present in his mind, food was the avenue where Peter shared his love, whether it was as a chef in one of Portland’s many Chinese restaurants, or at home where he was never at ease until everyone had a full stomach. He was known for his kindness, devotion, and warm smile.

Peter was preceded in death by his sister, Mona, and his son, Andrew.  He is survived by his wife Grace, his children Adam and Andrea, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.  Due to the Coronavirus, a service will not be held.  In lieu of flowers or donations, share a meal with a family member or friend and let them know how much you love them.