Lasting Memories

Brian Tak Hong Guan
Sept. 26, 1967-Dec. 10, 2024
Palo Alto, California
Submitted by Alison Guan

Brian Tak Hong Guan, a man beloved by many, passed away at his home, surrounded by family on December 10, 2024. He was 57.

Brian was born and raised in Malaysia as one of seven siblings to parents born in China. He was a true citizen of the world, multilingual, culturally fluent, and made meaningful friendships everywhere he went. He was known throughout his life for his intelligence, wit, kindness, and jolly spirit, with a loud clear laugh that came easily.

Brian attended secondary school in Singapore, and developed an early affinity for computers which led to earning a degree in Computer Science from Imperial College London in 1990. This resulted in a successful career as a software engineer, working for LinkedIn, Facebook, Cambridge Technology Partners, Microsoft, and many more. He enjoyed his time off just as much as working, and took many sabbaticals over the years to travel, spend time with family, and work on personal projects.

After a young adulthood filled with travel and adventure, he settled in the Bay Area where he lived for nearly thirty years, finding joy in family life with his happy marriage to wife Alison and as proud father to two boys. Even so, his worldwide connections persisted through the years, and he always stayed in touch with and visited friends and family in Malaysia, Singapore, London, Amsterdam, Australia, and beyond. One of his greatest joys was gathering with good people and good food, preferably with lots of both. He was extremely generous, with his spirit, his attention, his mentorship, and was a role model to many.

Brian was quite passionate about his hobbies. He was a long-time practitioner of Tai Chi, and was a key member of a Chen-style Tai Chi academy in San Francisco. He played guitar and ukulele, and after the family moved from San Francisco to Palo Alto in 2008, he became known in the PAUSD parent community for his ukulele lessons and guided sing-alongs. A creative and often unconventional thinker, he pursued passion projects such as developing open source software for designing and fabricating 3-D printed musical instruments.

In 2023 Brian was diagnosed with inoperable esophageal cancer, which ultimately shortened his life. He faced this bravely - what his life lacked in quantity, he said, it made up in quality. He treasured his time with his family and friends.

Brian is survived by his wife Alison, sons Milo Yong-Jun (20) and Theo Yong-Qi (18) all of Palo Alto; his brothers Tak Boon, Tak Boo and Tak Chia, and sisters Siew Tin, Siew Khim and Siew Hui, of Malaysia and the UK, as well as many many cousins, nieces and nephews locally and around the world.