Tinh Van Khau, 81, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at 6:45 p.m. at Riverside Hospital in Newport News. He was born on January 14, 1942, in My Tho, Viet Nam. Tinh loved his country and joined the U.S. Air Force at the age of 19 to fight for its independence. He was amongst the first group of men selected to be trained by the Air Force for the Viet Nam war. After the war, Tinh tried to escape his country many times before finally succeeding on the ninth attempt. He was at sea for two months on a small boat before he landed in the Philippines, where he became an English teacher to Vietnamese refugees. During his time in the Philippines, he sold his wedding ring to send a telegram to his wife, Nien Le, to let her and the rest of his family know that he was alive. Eventually, he made his way to the United States and began working as an air traffic controller to earn money so that he could bring the rest of his family to America. Tinh authored a book about the Viet Nam war and his journey to America called Goodbye Viet Nam, Hello America.
Tinh loved gardening, flowers, writing poems, listening to music, and most importantly, spending time with his family. His favorite flower is the sunflower.

Tinh is survived by his wife, nine children, seventeen grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

The family will be available for a gathering and remembrance on Sunday, July 24, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Peninsula Funeral Home. A ceremony will be held on Monday, July 25 beginning at 8:00 a.m. at the funeral home.

Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601.

—