Robert Lam passed away peacefully at his home in Santa Cruz with family by his side on Friday, August 25, 2023.

He was born on February 21, 1929, in Santa Cruz, California, the second of three children born to his parents, Sing Lam and Wong See Lam.

From a very young age, he worked in his family’s grocery store, Canton Market, located on Pacific Avenue in Santa Cruz until he enlisted into the U.S. Air Force in September 1950, during the Korean War.

While stationed in Okinawa, Japan, as a radar mechanic, Robert had the opportunity to visit Hong Kong, where he met and married Helen.  They were married for 52 years until her passing in 2006.

After returning to Santa Cruz from the Korean War, Robert and his father built a grocery store called Lam’s Market on Soquel Avenue.  Robert and Helen ran Lam’s Market for many years while raising their daughter, Roberta. Robert was a very creative carpenter. When he became a grandfather, he built a dollhouse complete with electricity for his two grandchildren.

Robert is preceded in death by his wife, Helen.  He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Roberta Lam Ohlson and Christopher Ohlson; two grandchildren, David and Davinna, and their spouses, Susanne and Mason; and four great-grandchildren, Ava, Orion, Logan, and Helianthus.

Robert is loved and will be missed but always remembered.