Yoon Shik Park Fairfax, Virginia Obituary

Yoon Shik Park

Professor Yoon S. Park went home to the Lord on March 10, 2022 at age 81, after a life well-lived. He spent his final days surrounded by close family and friends at the Capital Caring Adler Center hospice in Aldie, Virginia, ending a five year-long diagnosis of multiple myeloma. Professor Park is survived by his wife of 52 years, Heawon K. Park, older brother Won Shik Park, sons Dan (wife Jessica) and Jason, daughter Joann (husband Paul), and grandchildren Lauren, Kaitlyn, Theo, and Margaux. Yoon was born in 1940 in the southern province of Jeonnam, Korea, to parents Jum Jo and Sung Rim Park, as the youngest of four children (two older sisters and one brother). He had humble beginnings as the son of farmers, but aspired to continue his studies and go to college, and beyond. As a young teen in Seoul, Korea, Yoon endured very difficult circumstances, living in a tent city, selling newspapers, and polishing shoes, in order to pursue his academic and professional dreams. Yoon’s notable intellect earned him entry into the prestigious Seoul High School in 1956. He tutored students to help pay his way through school, and earned a full scholarship to Kyung Hee University, in the law department. In 1965, Yoon went to the US and received his MBA at a sister college to Kyung Hee, Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, then went on to Harvard Business School, where he earned his Doctor of Business Administration in 1970. Yoon’s college sweetheart, Heawon, arrived to the US to reunite with him after five years apart, and they were wed at Harvard Memorial Church in March 1970. Yoon went on to earn a 2nd master’s and 2nd doctoral degree (PhD), both in Economics, from George Washington University. Professor Park was an influential figure in academia and loved teaching students, spending 40 years as a Professor of International Finance at George Washington University School of Business. Previously, he had also taught at Georgetown University and Columbia University. He was a Senior Financial Economist at World Bank, and served as a Financial Advisor and on the Boards of Samsung and the Korea Economic Institute of America. Professor Park was a consultant to many public and private banking institutions around the world, and was a frequent contributor of columns on economic and financial matters to Korean news publications over many decades. Yoon enjoyed playing golf and tennis, working in his yard outdoors, reading, and staying on top of current events. He was also an active member of his community at Korean Central Presbyterian Church, and drew strength from reading the Bible. His greatest joys were his wife and home, family, children, and grandchildren. As it says in 1 Thessalonians 4:11, Professor Park made it his ambition to lead a quiet life. Yet with humility, a kind spirit, and joyful smile, his life had a significant impact on those who had the pleasure and honor of knowing him. He will be greatly missed, but we take comfort in knowing that he is in a better place, eternally at home in heaven.
April 28, 1940 - March 10, 202204/28/194003/10/2022
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Obituary

Professor Yoon S. Park went home to the Lord on March 10, 2022 at age 81, after a life well-lived. He spent his final days surrounded by close family and friends at the Capital Caring Adler Center hospice in Aldie, Virginia, ending a five year-long diagnosis of multiple myeloma. Professor Park is survived by his wife of 52 years, Heawon K. Park, older brother Won Shik Park, sons Dan (wife Jessica) and Jason, daughter Joann (husband Paul), and grandchildren Lauren, Kaitlyn, Theo, and Margaux. Yoon was born in 1940 in the southern province of Jeonnam, Korea, to parents Jum Jo and Sung Rim Park, as the youngest of four children (two older sisters and one brother). He had humble beginnings as the son of farmers, but aspired to continue his studies and go to college, and beyond. As a young teen in Seoul, Korea, Yoon endured very difficult circumstances, living in a tent city, selling newspapers, and polishing shoes, in order to pursue his academic and professional dreams. Yoon’s notable intellect earned him entry into the prestigious Seoul High School in 1956. He tutored students to help pay his way through school, and earned a full scholarship to Kyung Hee University, in the law department. In 1965, Yoon went to the US and received his MBA at a sister college to Kyung Hee, Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, then went on to Harvard Business School, where he earned his Doctor of Business Administration in 1970. Yoon’s college sweetheart, Heawon, arrived to the US to reunite with him after five years apart, and they were wed at Harvard Memorial Church in March 1970. Yoon went on to earn a 2nd master’s and 2nd doctoral degree (PhD), both in Economics, from George Washington University. Professor Park was an influential figure in academia and loved teaching students, spending 40 years as a Professor of International Finance at George Washington University School of Business. Previously, he had also taught at Georgetown University and Columbia University. He was a Senior Financial Economist at World Bank, and served as a Financial Advisor and on the Boards of Samsung and the Korea Economic Institute of America. Professor Park was a consultant to many public and private banking institutions around the world, and was a frequent contributor of columns on economic and financial matters to Korean news publications over many decades. Yoon enjoyed playing golf and tennis, working in his yard outdoors, reading, and staying on top of current events. He was also an active member of his community at Korean Central Presbyterian Church, and drew strength from reading the Bible. His greatest joys were his wife and home, family, children, and grandchildren. As it says in 1 Thessalonians 4:11, Professor Park made it his ambition to lead a quiet life. Yet with humility, a kind spirit, and joyful smile, his life had a significant impact on those who had the pleasure and honor of knowing him. He will be greatly missed, but we take comfort in knowing that he is in a better place, eternally at home in heaven.

Events

Apr
29
Celebration of Life
Friday, April 29 2022
01:00 PM - 04:00 PM
River Bend Golf and Country Club
375 Walker Road
Great Falls, VA 22066
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Apr
30
Burial
Saturday, April 30 2022
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Fairfax Memorial Park
4401 Burke Station Road
Fairfax, VA 22032
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Final Resting Place
Fairfax Memorial Park
4401 Burke Station Road
Fairfax, VA 22032
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