Shanghai. It would be possible for him to come here when he was eight years old. Kam initially came to the U.S. by way of Honolulu, and that’s where, to her delight, she beheld her first gas stove and refrigerator in a friend’s home. Next, she landed in San Francisco en route to Detroit, a destination she chose to reach not by train, but by Greyhound bus, because she’d never before experienced this form of transportation. Both Kam and Chien’s families had been well endowed financially in China from both the soy industry and jewelry business, but both families lost everything when the Japanese invaded China during WWII, followed by the outbreak of civil war. One profound lesson they both learned after emigrating was that “money is not that important, but principles are,” says Chien. “We had to realize this, otherwise, we would get depressed,” Chien added. Of importance were character and behavior. “A fancy car and a big house, no. Education should be the priority. Virtue lies in intellectual worth, not a bank account.” Life was particularly tough at the beginning, and at that time, they lived in an attic in Detroit. Kam assumed some maid duties to reduce the rent, and they used a dresser drawer as a crib for baby Wayne. These conditions further influenced Chien’s outlook. “To be intelligent, kind, compassionate, charitable, brave, helpful, and hard working – that is our religion,” Chien says, adding that “if you are a good scout, you are ok.” In keeping with scout principles, in fact, Chien proudly raises the American flag in his front yard every day, weather permitting. Educating their children became the number one priority for the Liaos, guiding them to buy a piano before any furniture in their new home. Piano lessons came next when each of the boys was about 8 years old. “Our legacy is about taking care of the younger generations and helping people,” Chien says, and one way they did that was by funding their college educations. He strongly encouraged all his children and grandchildren to attend graduate school, too. In the early days, about one third of North Woodland had vacant lots, and the neighborhood had a distinct country feel without curbs, only septic tanks and a rundown Sohio gas station on the corner of North Woodland and Fairmount Boulevard. There was only a volunteer fire department and no high school, although the school was built by the time the Liao boys were old enough to attend, along with former mayor Harvey Friedman’s children. When Interstate 271 was built, North Woodland was no longer a contiguous street reaching into Pepper Pike. In addition, in those days, both Kam and Chien would use two mowers to mow their lawn, and their big backyard became the meeting place for kids of all races to play. Both Kam and Chien diligently pursued their careers, each claiming satisfying accomplishments along the way. Chien was a research and development chemist for Standard Oil (Sohio) in their petroleum products department. He has more than two dozen U.S. and foreign patents and has published many technical articles, all dealing with chemistry and chemicals, including some that help improve engine performance and minimize pollution. Kam worked for two top engineering and construction companies in the country, where she helped design top steel mills and equipment like distillation towers, emphasizing their ability to withstand enormous stress. She also became involved with computer programming on IBM and Technics machines during their infancy in the business world. In the mid-1950s, accepting this work required tremendous courage. Others feared losing their jobs if they accepted such risky assignments due to their uncertainty and unfamiliarity with the new procedures. She was a true pioneer, however, for assuming these duties that also required that she receive special training in New York and at Case Institute of Technology, before it was Case Western Reserve University. Later in her career, she became proficient with computer programs that ran F15 aircraft simulators. To do this work, she was granted top clearance from the U.S. Defense Department. The Liaos have been active in the downtown Chinese community over the years, feeling a solidarity with both new and established immigrants. They also were integrally involved with establishing a $3.5 million HUD-funded housing project for low income people of all nationalities. The Liaos continue to speak to each other in Cantonese, the popular dialect in southern China, although Chien also knows Mandarin, the native tongue in the north and is fluent in the very difficult dialect spoken in Shanghai. It’s hard to have a conversation – in English - with the Liaos without their proudly, but humbly, extolling all their family members’ achievements. A photo album sits on the dining room table to assist in praising their offspring, down two generations and representing many nationalities. Jack, one of their three great-grandchildren, is a first grader in Chapel Hill, where he is taught Chinese and Mandarin, something Chien proves with evidence in a card Jack sent, containing a message neatly written in Chinese. He recently sent his great-grandfather a birthday card in Chinese, too. In their retirement, the Liaos love to attend opera and classical music performances, and they volunteer their time to several causes. Chien helps AARP members to file 1040 forms, and Kam has volunteered on election days in one of the Beachwood schools. Kam is also pleased to call herself a “happy hooker,” an activity involving women who like to knit, especially clothing for babies. While other members tend to create strictly hats, Kam likes to design and knit outfits with tops and bottoms, and her work has been exhibited with other artists' at the Beachwood Community Center. The Liaos feel deep gratitude for how their lives have unfolded. “We are grateful and happy for what we have experienced and feel lucky for our lives and the friendships we have made here,” says Chien. “We worked hard mentally and physically all of our lives – perhaps this may have helped our fair health and even longevity?” Chien also vociferously credits Beachwood with being a significant factor in helping them to do well and accomplish their goals. September 2015 n Beachwood Buzz 9