Chuck Yim Gee, an educator, consultant, visionary, and Hawaii's travel leader, passed away on May 17, 2019 at the age of 85. Born on August 28, 1933 to Yow and Shee Lee Gee, he was one of nine children. Survived by his beloved sister, Helen Lee (Edward) of Sacramento, CA, brother, Chuck Ping Gee (Toshiko) of Roseville, CA and many nieces and nephews. Chuck Gee served as Dean of the School of Travel Industry Management at the University of Hawaii at Manoa from 1976 to 1999. After his retirement as professor and dean, he also served on the UH Board of Regents from 2009 to 2015. Just before his passing, the Board of Regents honored him with the Regents Medal of Distinction. His contributions touched the lives of students, alumni, government officials and travel executives. He was the recipient of many awards and honors, including the 2019 "Hawaii Tourism Legacy Award" from the Media Hawaii/Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gallery of Legends induction, the PATA Life Member Award, PATA Presidential Award, the Travel Industry Assn. of America's Travel Industry Hall of Leaders, the Academy of Tourism Organizations NOAH Memorial Award for Excellence, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the president of Taiwan, Award of Excellence for Tourism Education given by the National Tourism Administration of the People's Republic of China and State of Hawaii governor's and legislative citations. Dean Emeritus Gee received a B.S.B.A. degree from the University of Denver and a M.A. degree from Michigan State University. He held numerous honorary university professorships in the Asia Pacific area and received an Honorary Doctorate in Public Service from the University of Denver and an Honorary Ph.D. from China Academy of the Chinese Cultural University, Republic of China. Outside of academia, he also actively served on the Board of Trustees of Kuakini Health System. Consultant and advisor to numerous hotel chains and tourism organizations especially in the Pacific/Asia region, he was an effective leader in all aspects of the travel industry and awarded numerous grants. He made worldwide presentations, published numerous scholarly papers, many textbooks, travel publications and recently authored the third edition of "World of Resorts: From Development to Management." Dean Gee led a life of service to the State of Hawaii and the world and to his students who have become today's extraordinary travel industry and business leaders. Gee's Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, June 25 at the Sheraton Waikiki, Kauai Ballroom. Visitation with family and friends held from 4 to 5:30 p.m., with service beginning at 5:30 p.m. Dean Gee had requested that in lieu of flowers and gifts in his honor, all contributions be made to the University of Hawaii Foundation/ Chuck Yim Gee Scholarship Fund, 1314 S King St., Suite B, Honolulu, Hi 96814 (attention: Harriet Cintron). Checks made payable to UH Foundation/Chuck Yim Gee Scholarship Fund or visit www.Uhfoundation.org/SupportDeanGeeScholarship Arrangements Provided By: Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary
Chuck Yim Gee, an educator, consultant, visionary, and Hawaii's travel leader, passed away on May 17, 2019 at the age of 85. Born on August 28, 1933 to Yow and Shee Lee Gee, he was one of nine children. Survived by his beloved sister, Helen Lee (Edward) of Sacramento, CA, brother, Chuck Ping Gee (Toshiko) of Roseville, CA and many nieces and nephews. Chuck Gee served as Dean of the School of Travel Industry Management at the University of Hawaii at Manoa from 1976 to 1999. After his retirement as professor and dean, he also served on the UH Board of Regents from 2009 to 2015. Just before his passing, the Board of Regents honored him with the Regents Medal of Distinction. His contributions touched the lives of students, alumni, government officials and travel executives. He was the recipient of many awards and honors, including the 2019 "Hawaii Tourism Legacy Award" from the Media Hawaii/Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gallery of Legends induction, the PATA Life Member Award, PATA Presidential Award, the Travel Industry Assn. of America's Travel Industry Hall of Leaders, the Academy of Tourism Organizations NOAH Memorial Award for Excellence, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the president of Taiwan, Award of Excellence for Tourism Education given by the National Tourism Administration of the People's Republic of China and State of Hawaii governor's and legislative citations. Dean Emeritus Gee received a B.S.B.A. degree from the University of Denver and a M.A. degree from Michigan State University. He held numerous honorary university professorships in the Asia Pacific area and received an Honorary Doctorate in Public Service from the University of Denver and an Honorary Ph.D. from China Academy of the Chinese Cultural University, Republic of China. Outside of academia, he also actively served on the Board of Trustees of Kuakini Health System. Consultant and advisor to numerous hotel chains and tourism organizations especially in the Pacific/Asia region, he was an effective leader in all aspects of the travel industry and awarded numerous grants. He made worldwide presentations, published numerous scholarly papers, many textbooks, travel publications and recently authored the third edition of "World of Resorts: From Development to Management." Dean Gee led a life of service to the State of Hawaii and the world and to his students who have become today's extraordinary travel industry and business leaders. Gee's Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, June 25 at the Sheraton Waikiki, Kauai Ballroom. Visitation with family and friends held from 4 to 5:30 p.m., with service beginning at 5:30 p.m. Dean Gee had requested that in lieu of flowers and gifts in his honor, all contributions be made to the University of Hawaii Foundation/ Chuck Yim Gee Scholarship Fund, 1314 S King St., Suite B, Honolulu, Hi 96814 (attention: Harriet Cintron). Checks made payable to UH Foundation/Chuck Yim Gee Scholarship Fund or visit www.Uhfoundation.org/SupportDeanGeeScholarship Arrangements Provided By: Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
