Tsu Yin Soong's Obituary
Tsu Yin Soong, 92, has been called home by our Heavenly Father on
May 27, 2023, peacefully in his sleep. Born in Kaifeng, Henan, China,
to Tung Soong and Yu Hsui Lee. He came to pursue advanced studies
at the University of Missouri, USA in 1951. He worked two summers
on the construction of the Greater New Orleans Mississippi River Bridge.
After graduation, he worked at the company Modjeski & Masters
Consulting Engineers . He was promoted to Senior Associate and
designated a “Corporate Fellow”.
Some of his notable accomplishments during his career include the
physical layout of the master control survey for the entire Baton
Rouge area Interstate System, the Carrollton Interchange design, the
US190/1-110 (llld) Interchange design, the Scotlandville By-Pass
System, the 1-10/1-310 Interchange, the Lake Hamilton Bridge,
the Luling Bridge approach and many, many other fixed and movable rail
road and highway bridges. He designed Ramp E2 over I-10 in Baton
Rouge before there was a code for curved girders and designed curved,
trapezoidal steel box girders without the aide of modern calculators or
computers. He was instrumental in the widening project of the Huey
P. Long Bridge, completed in 2013.
He loved travel and enjoyed cultural diversity. In addition to many
trips to many different parts of China, he and his wife , Tina Lew Soong,，
visited 7 nations in Western Europe, 6 nations in Eastern Europe, 5 nations
in Northern Europe, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, New
Zealand, Fuji, Japan, Canada and more. They also covered many major
cities and historical and scenic sites within USA. Both loved ballroom
dancing, they took dancing lessons for 20+ years.
He participated in many civic activities. Among many other things,
he served as President of the New Orleans Chinese Association( NOCA),
as well as a member of the NOCA Choir. He was a member the New Orleans
Civil Engineers Association, Chinese American Civil Engineers Association,
among others. He represented the local Chinese American community
at Asian Pacific American Society, and more.
After his retirement, he enjoyed teaching Chinese calligraphy at the
Academy of Chinese Studies, exercising at the EJ Health Center, playing
Mahjong, bridge, reading, yard work, and continued traveling .
Most of all, he loved and was loved by his family. In addition to his wife
Tina Tien Lew Soong, of 65 years, he left to cherish his memory a daughter,
Vera Soong, two sons and daughter in laws, Raymond and Gail Soong,
Herman and Connie Soong; 4 grandchildren, Joshua Soong, Caleb Soong,
Gabrielle Soong and Matthew Soong Hamrick, and 3 great grandchildren,
Jack Soong, Caroline Soong and Eli Soong. He also left to cherish his
memories, Tsu Teh Soong, brother and sister in law, Yenling Tsai;
Tsu Jin Lin, sister, and Ching Yung Chang, sister in law, a host of
nephews, nieces, grand nephews and grand nieces, as well as a host
of cousins, and relatives.
What’s your fondest memory of Tsu Yin?
What’s a lesson you learned from Tsu Yin?
Share a story where Tsu Yin's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Tsu Yin you’ll never forget.
How did Tsu Yin make you smile?
