Clarence Mew Chong Liu's Obituary
ASSISTANT POLICE CHIEF CLARENCE M.C. LIU
Passed away and returned Home to his Heavenly Father on March 8, 2013 at Pohai Nani Retirement Center, Kaneohe, at the age of 96. He enjoyed 42 years of retirement proudly surpassing his 30 year HPD career!
He is survived by wife Harriet, daughter Paula, a retired California educator, favorite and only grandson Micah Smith, and sons Dan (named for his uncle, and former HPD chief) a retired Menlo Park, California police sergeant and Clarence Jr., a retired hospice chaplain.
In November 1941 just before the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he joined the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) at the starting salary of $158 a month. In his early years, he served in patrol, Vice, Records (doing fingerprinting), Traffic Accident Investigation, and the detective division. Dad received a Fellowship in 1952 to study traffic and police administration at Northwestern University outside Chicago.
Soon he became a Captain, first for Plans, Research & Training and later for traffic. In 1966 he became Assistant Chief responsible for the Administrative Bureau. Dad’s drive for excellence and professional development were recognized his being selected for Harvard University’s Advanced Management Program conducted in Hawaii. Dad retired in 1971, capping a 30 year career.
Retirement became a time to pursue his passions for music, yard work and walking the beaches daily with his wife. He was an avid musician, a church organist for St. Anthony’s, a bassist for a “five-piece band” called the Makai Strings, and a key-board serenader for diners at Pohai Nani. Most of all, he enjoyed fine dining with his family to celebrate the seasons of our lives.
Dad, we will always remember your strong and quiet presence, the faith you embodied, and the generous spirit with which you touched us all.
Services will be held on Wednesday, March 20th at St. Anthony of Padua Church, Kailua. Visitation: 10 am; Memorial Service: 11 am and luncheon to follow. Casual attire. In lieu of gifts, donations may be made to the Honolulu Police Relief Association and/or Hospice Hawaii.
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