Colgate University announced the death of alumnus and notable philanthropist Robert Hung Ngai Ho ’56 H’11 in an email sent to the community on Tuesday, Dec. 9. 

Ho studied English and history at Colgate before getting a master’s degree at Columbia Journalism School. He then began his career at his family’s newspaper in Hong Kong, Kung Sheung Daily Press. Ho helped run the paper until 1984. 

Ho also served as a member of the Colgate Board of Trustees from 1996 to 1999. He is remembered for his philanthropic legacy for Colgate, which continued well after this term. Most notably, the Robert H.N. Ho Science Center was named in his honor after Ho provided a $27 million gift to build it. Additionally, the Ho Tung Visualization Lab is named in honor of his grandfather. Most recently, Ho provided $15 million to establish the Robert H.N. Ho Mind, Brain, and Behavior Center. Ho was also an ardent supporter of the Asian studies program at Colgate, helping to fund the China study group, an endowed professorship and renovations to Lawrence Hall. For his service to the University, Ho received a Maroon Citation in 2001 and the Wm. Brian Little Award for Distinguished Service in 2016. 

In his email to the student body, President Brian W. Casey commented on the impact of Ho’s continued involvement in Colgate. Casey shared anecdotes from visiting Ho in his adopted city of Vancouver. 

“On every trip I made to Vancouver, I was greeted with waves of questions about the University, always with a particular interest in Colgate’s academic reach and reputation,” Casey said. “He was unfailingly gracious during these visits and always looking for ways to help deepen and strengthen the academic mission of Colgate.” 

Ho is survived by his wife, Greta; his children, Robert and Kevin; his daughter-in-law, Raquel; and his five grandchildren, Damian, Lachlan, Kiara, Madeleine, and Theodore.