1. In Loving Memory of François H. Phan
2. Bác Ñam • Uncle Ñam • Chef Dad
3. November 18, 1952 – October 13, 2026
4. 
   

•A Legend in the Skies, A Warrior at Heart•

It is with profound sadness, deep reverence, and eternal pride that we share the passing of an extraordinary man: François H. Phan — a decorated combat aviator, elite paratrooper, traditional pre-war South Vietnamese gentleman, international patriarch, and hero. He passed into eternal peace on October 13, 2026 in Racine, WI surrounded by the enduring love, pride, and prayers of his lineage.

Born on November 18, 1952, in Long Mỹ, Republic of Vietnam, to his cherished parents, Kiểm T. Chương and Phương H. Phan, and the brother to Bac Ba, Diep, Tu, Thuy, and Rick. He grew up carrying an exceptional mind, a fierce spirit, and a heart built for leadership.

For ten years leading up to the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, he served with distinction as an elite soldier and commissioned flight officer in the Republic of Vietnam Air Force (Không Quân) alongside his oldest brother, Bác Ba Phan. He had a rare, multi-layered military career that bridged elite ground special operations and tactical aviation. Stationed early in his career at Biên Hoà Air Force Base, he served in the staff office of the Air Support Wing / Base Support Wing. Trained under French military aviation instruction, he possessed a refined tactical mastery.

Worn proudly over his heart was the prestigious Dragon Command Crest (Tổ Quốc Không Gian), marking his master authority in the skies. Dual-qualified as an airborne paratrooper with the Red Beret Airborne Commando (Nhảy Dù), he carried his commando discipline into the cockpit in the high-stakes role of a "Red Marker" Forward Air Controller pilot. Over the entire decade of the unit’s existence (1962 to 1973), fewer than 175 men in total ever served as Red Markers pilots. Flying low-altitude, treetop missions directly into active combat zones to direct close air support, mark targets, and shield his airborne brothers under fire, his bravery earned him supreme respect across international airwings, including joint flight operations alongside the U.S. Navy’s elite VF-111 "Sundowners" fighter squadron.

•A Pillar of the Diaspora & A Renaissance Mind•

On April 30, 1975, he brought that same unshakeable resolve to the United States when he left his 1975 red mustang in the middle of the Saigon street outside of the airport base after finishing his work shift and ran back in wearing his orange aviator jumpsuit, boarding the plane to the United States. Alongside his mother (Kiem T. Chuong) and oldest sister (Diep) stood as a foundational pillar for the South Vietnamese diaspora in the Midwest. Together, they paved the way and built thriving community foundations starting in Chicago’s Chinatown and Argyle Street neighborhoods, extending across Wisconsin and Minnesota, and expanding across Texas, Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, New York, Virginia, and California.

A true renaissance man of immense intellect, he was fluent in seven (7) languages. Dedicated to his work since June 28, 1986, he brought an unwavering six-day-a-week work ethic and true dedication to Kenosha Beef International in Kenosha, WI, where he served as Maintenance Supervisor. At work, he loved talking about cars and politics, laughing with his coworkers, and treating the whole team to his legendary homemade virgin piña coladas. Off the clock, he was always the first person friends called whenever a heating system or kitchen sink needed fixing.

He held a deep appreciation for the finer details of life. He admired classic drop top Mercedes-Benz automobiles and loved music in all its richness — showing off the bass on his soundbar to house music, relaxing to Frank Sinatra, Enrique Iglesias, Carol Kim, and Creedence Clearwater Revival, and listening to soulful Vietnamese Bolero ballads. Above all, he brought endless joy and warmth through his brilliant sense of humor—frequently editing family photos into hilarious custom "magazine covers" to send to relatives worldwide, living by his core belief that true value must always shine.

• “We Don't Create, We Curate" — The Father & Daughter Bond•

To his daughter, Sarah R., he was far more than a father; he was her best friend, mentor, and primary collaborator. Together, they worked to preserve pre-1975 South Vietnamese culinary heritage and culture, co-curating history that reached #1 bestseller book status worldwide and securing their family's story for generations to come. Guided by their motto — “We don't create, we curate"—they approached life, history, and legacy with intentionality and prestige.

Reconnecting later in life after years apart, he met her with total transparency and love, opening his heart and answering every question to build a fortress of unconditional trust. He sat at the kitchen table with radiant pride, mentoring her as she stepped into her full power as his chosen successor and the undisputed anchor of his lineage. His love showed in every detail — often surprising her with imported Southeast Asian fruits, ordering 70 pounds of mangosteens, 50 pounds of large green mangoes, or a box of the hard to find Vú Sữa. He would cut open each individual mangosteen to hand to his daughter as a quiet, profound sign of love.

Above all, he gave her an eternal South Vietnamese Buddhist guardian promise—stating with absolute certainty that he would never leave her side, a sacred vow of unconditional love and protection that she carries for eternity.

•Honored and Eternal•

Known to so many as Bác Ñam or Uncle Ñam, and celebrated affectionately within the Midwest underground music community as "Chef Dad" for the legendary Teochew Chinese-South Vietnamese fusion dishes and burgers he would cook for his daughter and her circle, he simply loved quality food and bringing people together around the table.

He was the international patriarchal hero, idol, and pillar of a multi-country family that loves him deeply. His presence was a constant guide, offering steady wisdom, razor-sharp humor, and an unshakeable anchor for relatives across the globe.

•The Four-Pillar Burial Framework•

Carrying forward his legacy has taken on an even deeper meaning. A man of deep heart who loved passionately and took on everything with intensity, his daughter Sarah incorporated his explicit wishes to establish the Four-Pillar Burial Framework across three nations:

Vietnam (2 cities): Returning to his ancestral roots and family temple grounds, allowing our family in Vietnam a dedicated place for traditional remembrance. Head Elder and Family Council formal approvals granted to Sarah. United States (1 city): Resting alongside his parents, honoring his post-1975 legacy as a foundational pillar who helped build the South Vietnamese community across the Midwest (Chicago, Wisconsin, and Minnesota) since April 30, 1975. Costa Rica (1 city): A dedicated personal sanctuary, fulfilling his personal promise of eternal love and protection for his daughter.

May his warrior guardian soul rest in the Land of Buddha Peace and Paradise.

Family and friends are invited to meet in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral and Crematory on Saturday, December 12, 2026, for a visitation from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm. A Western Spiritual Service will take place at 4:00 pm followed by South Vietnamese Military Honors.

For those wishing to watch via livestream, you may click on this link at 4:00 pm https://youtube.com/live/5QDYMFoBJ1c?feature=share

A heartfelt thank you to Chrystal, an Army veteran, and the dedicated Army and Military Police veteran networks for their expertise in decoding my father’s military patches — ensuring his exact service record, sacrifice, and combat legacy are recorded with total accuracy.