Philip P. Choy (1926-2017)
Philip P. Choy Gallery in the Chinese Historical Society of America Museum (965 Clay Street, San Francisco)
Philip P. Choy was born and grew up in San Francisco. He went to City College until he was drafted into the US Army Air Corps in World War II. After service, he went to the University of California, Berkeley to earn his degree in architecture. When working at an architectural firm, Phil faced discrimination because of his race, so he quit and set up his own firm. Aside from his interest in architecture, Phil dedicated his life to preserving Chinese American history, and was president of the Chinese Historical Society of America. In 1969, he and Him Mark Lai taught the first college-level Chinese American history course at San Francisco State. Among his many honors, Phil received the San Francisco State University President's Medal.
(Portrait by Terry Nho, SFSU 2014)