Birth date: Jan 5, 1940 Death date: Nov 7, 2025
With heavy hearts and profound sorrow, we mourn the passing of Mr. Pham Anh Dung (Dennis Pham). He departed this world on November 7, 2025, at the age of 85, leaving behind a legacy of quiet strength, kindness, and enduring love. Read Obituary
Krystina Tran lit a candle in memory of Dennis Pham Dung
A Tribute to My Father
My dad was a constant source of strength in our family. He worked tirelessly to provide for us, never asking for recognition. He was a quiet, gentle soul who didn’t say much, yet the way he lived his life spoke more clearly than any words could. He listened without judgment, treated everyone with dignity and respect, and moved through the world with patience, intelligence, and kindness. His actions revealed his character—honorable, humble, and deeply good. He listened with genuine care, valuing every voice and every perspective.
I have so many precious memories of him from my childhood—our family road trips across the country, taking us to new places, new adventures, and countless states. He loved to travel, to explore, and to dream of the next destination. He collected maps with such joy, planning each journey with care. To this day, his closet remains filled with those maps he treasured so dearly.
My dad loved good food and truly savored every meal. He often took his time, enjoying every bite. He also loved to read and loved to write. Many days, he could be found in his office, surrounded by books, magazines, and newspapers, absorbed in learning and thinking.
As I grew older, he became not only my father but also my guide. He encouraged me through every challenge I faced as a teenager and young adult. He taught me everything he could to help me survive in this world. He was my teacher, my protector, and my role model—offering endless wisdom, encouragement, unconditional love and unwavering support through every stage of my life.
My mom was the love of his life, the one who always puts a twinkle in his eye. He loved her deeply and worried about her often. Their long and faithful union reflected a devotion that endured every season of life, strengthened by a love both gentle and steadfast. As I drove him to his doctor visits in his later years, he often reminded me to care for my mom when he would no longer be around-to stay by her side, to watch over her health, and to never leave her. His love for her remained unwavering, right up to his final days.
Daddy, I love and miss you so much. You left us too quickly. I never got a chance to even say goodbye. On Thursday, I visited and talked to you at your home. Then, on Friday, you were gone. I cherish the memory of our last conversation; unaware it would be our final one. I wish I could have had one more moment with you—even just five more minutes—to talk with you again, to see your face and hear your voice again.
I miss coming over and seeing you eating at the kitchen table. I miss seeing you in your office reading all the magazines and newspapers that Bac Quyen always brings over every week for you to read. I miss smoothing your soft white hair, and you telling me not to fuss because you were “an old man” and didn’t need to look good anymore. I miss your smile. I miss giving you little kisses on your cheeks and forehead before I say goodbye for the day. I miss giving you hugs. I miss your voice, your advice, our long talks during drives to your doctor appointments, and the stories of your past that you shared with me. Even your quiet moments meant the world to me.
Life is bittersweet without you in it.
Dad, your love will always be my compass. Your lessons will continue to guide me, and your memory will live on in every step I take. Thank you for being the best father I could ever have hoped for.
I MISS AND LOVE YOU SO MUCH, DADDY!
Anh Dũng ra đi thật đột ngột và bất ngờ! Gia đình thật ngạc nhiên và rất đau buồn! Tuy rằng sức khỏe của anh có suy giảm theo năm tháng nhưng anh vẫn còn minh mẫn, đi lại với walker và ăn uống bình thường. Chỉ vì cái té trong đêm mà anh đã ra đi..🥀
Nghĩ lại thấy cũng an ủi là mấy tháng trước đây hai em Minh-Trác cũng đã có dịp ghé qua Dallas thăm anh, chị Điệp và gia đình cháu Mỹ-Trâm với Zachary và Brandon. Cả nhà họp mặt ăn uống, nói chuyện vui vẻ . Anh vẫn còn đi lại được khi dùng walker và ăn uống bình thường.
Ngày hôm sau, bốn anh chị em rủ nhau đi thăm mộ Ba. Nghĩa trang thật rộng, và sau bao năm tháng đã có nhiều thay đổi cho nên thật khó mà tìm ra ngôi mộ. Chị Điệp lái xe vòng quanh hơn nửa tiếng đồng hồ mà vẫn không tìm ra. Cũng không tìm được nhân viên của nghĩa trang vì họ nghỉ làm vào chiều chủ nhật.
Thế là bốn anh chị em đồng thanh cầu nguyện xin Ba hướng dẫn để các con có thể đến thăm mộ Ba. Thế rồi chị Điệp dừng xe lại ở một khu có vẽ quen thuộc với chị để ba chị em cùng nhau dò tìm lần cuối trước khi về. Bỗng nhiên nghe tiếng anh Trác hô lớn “đây rồi!”..
Ba đã cho anh Trác thấy mộ Ba trước nhất..💝
Các con thật vui mừng, cùng nhau mang nhan đèn ra cúng cho Ba.
Anh chỉ cầu nguyện cho Ba ở trên xe vì chân yếu, anh không leo dốc được.
Qua trải nghiệm này em tin rằng ông bà, cha mẹ quá vãng của chúng ta vẫn ở trên cao và phò hộ cho chúng ta.
Hôm nay anh Dũng đã từ giã gia đình và tất cả các em để về với ông bà và cha mẹ. Chúng em xin cầu nguyện cho anh và xin cầu chúc cho anh sớm về nước Phật. 🙏🪷🙏
Em - Ánh Minh
In Loving Memory of PA Dung
Dec 2025
Shared by Norman and Tara Nguyen Van Toai (Washington DC)
I first met Dung in 1961, when we received Colombo Plan Scholarships and travelled to New Zealand to begin our university studies. In a time of great uncertainty for Vietnam, we were young students filled with hope, and Dung quickly stood out among our group for his gentle manner and strong determination.
We shared a room during our first year in Wellington, New Zealand, and I came to know him as a quiet, thoughtful soul with a subtle sense of humor. He valued his independence—perhaps that spirit led him to become the first among us to own a motorcycle. Later, at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, we lived at Rolleston House (RH), where he impressed everyone by securing a rare single room and where his late-night cooking became a fond joke among us.
One unforgettable memory was the traditional rite of passage for all new comers. On that morning, Dung accidentally overslept and missed the gathering—so the seniors good-naturedly carried him out of bed at dawn and dipped him into the nearby icy Avon River. It became a story we cherished and laughed about for years, Dung included.
Our paths crossed again in 1974 as Fulbright scholars in the United States—he at Syracuse University and I at the State University of New York. Even then, he remained the same person I had known from the beginning: gentle, sincere, curious, and quietly intellectual.
Dung will always be remembered for his kindness, integrity, and peaceful dignity. I am grateful for the friendship we shared, and he will always hold a warm place in my heart.
May he rest in peace, and may his family find comfort and strength in loving memories of him.
Last meeting with brother Dũng & his wife, Dallas, Texas, April 2025.
Tribute to My Uncle, Dũng Pham
I first met Uncle Dũng in December 1987, welcoming my mom and me to the United States with Christmas dinner and present at his house in Mesquite, Texas. Uncle Dũng had made a huge impact in our family by sponsoring and helping us navigate the complex immigration process. Over the years, Uncle Dũng remained a steady source of wisdom, someone we could always turn to for advice, support, and perspective.
You will be greatly missed.
Rest in peace, Uncle Dung!
When we get to see ch'u (uncle) Dung on several but rare occasions, he was remembered to be a well-mannered and quiet man always with a gentle and warm smile. He was clearly beloved and cherished by his family and closed ones. We prayed for him to be at peace and walk along the steps of the Buddha towards enlightenment.
My deepest condolences go to his family, relatives and loved ones.
Khang Le and family.
Tien Pham lit a candle in memory of Dennis Pham Dung
