Dr. Kim Hyun Deok Foreman, Professor at San Francisco State University, pastor’s wife and missionary to Rwanda, passed away after an auto accident near the town of Gitarama, Rwanda.
I still have a hard time looking at those last words and believing that my friend Kim will not be back at SF State this month, inspiring her students and colleagues to think about how each of us can make a difference in the lives of students, everywhere.
Kim used to tell me how she thought I was brave, how much she learned from me about facing fear. And every time she said that - and I would think about her leaving her home in Korea, and earning a PH.D. in her second, adopted language, running the SFSU ITEC program and slogging through years of academic administrivia without losing hope or faith, her amazing Christian mission service, in Rwanda, a country putting itself back together after having been ripped apart by genocide - I would just smile. My version of bravery seems kind of silly and small when I think of Kim's accomplishments and commitment to service.
On July 19th she began her 10th mission to Rwanda, where she and her husband had founded a Christian mission school. On July 31st on her way to Kigali from Butare, she was involved in an auto accident. She passed away peacefully on August 3rd, never having regained consciousness. A memorial service was held for her in Kigali on August 7th with hundreds in attendance, among them the American Ambassador to Rwanda. Another was held in Hayward, CA, this past weekend, for her US based family and friends.
Kim's example was a daily reminder for me to always try and be a better person. This is my very small way of thanking Kim for that gift. Rest in Peace, Kim. Thanks for being my friend.
Very sorry Ellen, I just read your response here. If this gets posted in time, the gathering is at 7:00PM tonight (Thursday) in Burk Hall, room #170.
Posted by: Jeff Munson | August 19, 2010 at 03:56 PM
I was sorry to miss the services in Hayward this weekend, I am especially sad that I will not be able to join you at SFSU later this week. Do let me know the details and I will be happy to post the time and location.
Posted by: Ellen Wagner | August 16, 2010 at 09:18 PM
Thank you, Ellen. I've been struggling with my feelings ever since learning of her death last week. I knew her as a professor, an instructor, and as my graduate advisor. In that role, she always brought part of her life to her beloved students without "preaching" her causes. She inspired us to want to know more, both about her and about the subjects that she taught. While I couldn't bring myself to intrude on her close friends and family at the Hayward service, I am looking forward to sharing stories and feelings with my fellow SFSU alumni, students, and faculty at a gathering in Burk hall later this week.
The phase of my life that included her in the roles above is through, and I am much richer for her involvement. While the loss we feel is tragic, a deeper tragedy is the fact that future ITEC learners will not be able to experience what I had the pleasure and privilege of experiencing.
The best that we can do is continue her dream as educators, and spread the knowledge that we earned from her to others.
Posted by: Jeff Munson | August 16, 2010 at 11:16 AM
Kim was my professor at SFSU, too. Her enthusiasm for teaching and learning was infectious, and her willingness to experiment with her teaching and new technologies was inspiring.
Posted by: Kate Miffitt | August 16, 2010 at 10:56 AM
Kim was my professor at SFSU. She was a wonderful person, always smiling, always willing to help others without hesitation. She will be sorely missed.
Posted by: Philip Hutchison | August 16, 2010 at 09:41 AM