We would love to hear more stories and memories of Simon.
31 thoughts on “Please leave a comment in remembrance.”
Dear Family of Simon Eng,
We here at Simon’s office are devastated to hear of the passing of our beloved colleague and friend. Simon contributed so much to the progression of our department, and was very instrumental in the developing stages of the Office of Program and Regulatory Operations.
Most importantly, we’ve come to know Simon as a dear, passionate fun loving guy who cherished his family, coworkers, and the work he performed here at the Food and Drug Administration. He was our awesome Photographer!
Our thoughts and prayers are towards you and your family at this time. Truly, he made us all feel like family! We were so blessed to be a part of the life of Simon Eng.
Respectfully, OPRO, Office of Program and Regulatory Operations, FDA
I’m the neighbor friend of Simon last 26years. He was like a one of my real brother. When I opened my garage door, his house’s facing only 30 ft away, see him almost every day. Probably I ‘m the last person saw him hour before accident. We talked outside my house about an 20 minutes that night when I told to Simon my daughter came from Hong Kong for visit us, he want to take my daughter to take out for the lunch. He was so tender and loving care man. I’ll miss him so much,but never forget how wonderful good man was. Simon, I miss you and love you so much. Shawn
My beloved Uncle Simon was the rock for my mom’s side of the family and the leader, shouldering many responsibilities (and the cost of burden that comes with it) to make it easier for everyone else. There are some people in life that are “just there” and don’t add any value to family, community/society. My uncle was not one of these people. He made life better and more fun for everyone. His passing is a huge loss to our family and I will miss him very much.
I will leave here the same following comments about Simon that I left on the Nextdoor Normandy Hills website two days ago.
We are also a neighbor of the Ng’s. Although we didn’t know Simon as well as you (Zorita Thomas) because we live a few more houses away, we did interact with him over the years especially during our long running, 4-year effort to get the property manager to do their job and fix the broken fence and the drainage issue in the stretch of common areas at the back of our houses along Willow Run Court (which they finally did last year after a concerned Board member found out about it and intervened on our behalf).
We found Simon to be very generous and friendly with a deep love for the Normandy Hills community. Though we did not benefit directly from his generosity, we are aware that he routinely went around the neighborhood offering help during times of need. The relatively deep incline of our street makes it accumulate more snow than other areas including his own but, many times, we saw him going around the neighborhood offering help with his snow blower. A few years back, we had a 7-day power outage. Simon happened to own a generator and he would run a line from his house to his next door neighbor to power her (a widow living by herself) appliances.
Indeed, Simon will be sorely missed.
Win Aung.
I am so shocked and saddened for my sporting friend Lily, David, Stephen and all your family at your sudden, tragic and incomprehensible loss.
I first met Simon, and Stephen who was able to join our Northern Virginia United senior women’s basketball group at a Mystics game, back in 2005. I had just joined the group and was feeling shy and awkward and Simon was warm and funny and I felt relieved to have him there, grateful to have shared and enjoy Stephen and Lily’s company and the family. I think of the kindnesses I always felt about Simon and his great interest in others, and especially enjoyed his sly sense of humor, a quality like he was winking at the world despite everything else. This I most remember of him as I would see him here and there over the years that followed. I had absolutely no idea how accomplished he was, that he enjoyed other common interests with me like running, the military and gardening as he never talked of himself. He reminds me now how much better I could do to reach out more in the time we do share. I will close on a positive to say, thank you, Simon, for being with Lily and our teammates in St George, UT and the wonderful time we shared with you enjoying God’s creation. No way to know that would be the last time I would see him.
May the good things in Creation comfort and sustain you as you continue on your paths without your son, husband, father, uncle, brother.
Dear Family of Simon Eng,
While we here at San Francisco District Office of FDA didn’t personally know Simon, we do know David and work with him every day. We offer our sincere condolences at the passing of your Father, Brother, Son, Uncle, Friend. However, we do know that his legacy is passed on through his son David. David has been a joy to work with as a colleague and we look forward to that continued fruitful relationship. We are heartily sorry for your loss.
Dear Family of Simon Eng:
No words can express my sadness.
Simon was the PM when I join team Chemistry I in Division I OGD. Since then we have been friends.
I had the privilege to know Simon for many years as a coworker and real friend, first at the NIH Clinical Center Pharmacy Dept. and then when he expressed an interest in coming to the FDA’s Office of Generic Drugs (OGD) to work for me as a Project Manager. Knowing Simon’s work ethic and professionalism, I jumped at the opportunity to bring him to OGD.
Even though Simon was a very competent supervisor at the Clinical Center Pharmacy, his billet would not support his promotion to CAPT O-6 rank. Again, knowing his capabilities I assured him that we would be able to get his qualifications duly recognized in order to get him the promotion he so richly deserved, and within a year’s time it came to pass at the next promotion board.
Simon was the consummate professional pharmacist officer, and although I may have been his supervisor, I looked up to him for his advice, his support, his strength of character, and most importantly his concern and care for others. He was a true friend to me in difficult times and would frequently call me just to check it to see how I was doing. It seems that Simon had the genuine ability to make everyone he touched feel special, and he touched so many. While he often expressed his gratitude towards me, I was the lucky one to have known him and to have had his fine friendship. Farewell Simon and may God Bless you! Tim
Simon was the first person I met on the day of reporting to work at Standish place on March 05, 2008. I was at the wrong building and I was completely lost. He took me over to the correct location. Every time we met during the 9 years of my service at FDA, he would remind me of the incident. He is a very good friend, person. He is a true gentleman. May his soul rest in peace. He is a very inspiring person.
Santhosh Pabba
CAPT Simon was a man of few words, but when he spoke he was very wise and encouraging, indeed. I remember the moment when I returned to work after some life challenges, and CAPT Eng saw me from afar in a long hall near a meeting room. He walked towards me, extended his hand (to shake mine), and said “I see you made it back.” And smiled, kindly. This meant very much to me in a very difficult time and I will not ever forget the work ethic, the focus, the determination to progressively be excellent that CAPT Eng exhibited in his professional life in OGD. May I continue in your shadow of excellence, CAPT Eng, as you rest in peace.
I always called him Captain, with respect and love. He was kind, funny colleague, who made everyone around him laugh. He was always behind camera capturing many memories at work place, he would ask us to jump high, as high as you can, give pose. Than very promptly forward those pictures with cute captions. I have several pictures from him, taken at many different FDA event. He was truly one of kind, one in a million. Rest in peace Captain.
-ram randad
CAPT Eng was a wonderful man and a caring human being. I’ll never forget how kind he was to me when I first began working for the FDA nearly four years ago. I was a young LT in the USPHS at the time and new to OGD. CAPT Eng engaged me in conversation from the moment we crossed paths with a genuine sense of consideration and collegiality. He was always humble and always had a smile on his face, despite the challenges that life and work presented at times. CAPT Eng truly made the most of the unique opportunity for camaraderie afforded to us at our workplace and is a lasting reminder of the importance of those bonds. He will be remembered as a fellow officer that gave his life for the advancement of the good of humanity and will be missed dearly by all who knew him.
CAPT Simon Eng was awesome!!!! He was just a special gem; and I will be missed him a lotttttttttttt!!!!!!!! I met Simon when he worked in the Office of Generic Drugs and we communicated a lot on Project Management-related matters. He was just so humble, very kind, very wise, genuine, passionate, and a loving soul. He always reached out when I needed his help to answer clarifying questions. Even though I was not his student, I definitely could have passed for one. He was a teacher at heart…funny, bubbly, high-spirited and a joke star. I remember the walking days….Whenever I was available to walk and when the temperature was just right like on sunny days in Standish/Derwood, MD, I would join the walking group and we would walk through the grassy backyards of single homes, pass the dogs who barked so loudly at the sight of us…that it used to scare me every time, and Simon would say,”Ahhh, just ignore them, and keep walking Diana…” and this is what he would say as he passed me and a few people in the group. Then, he would keep on walking and be gone, like the wind, I would try and keep up, pretending like I was not hurting and not in pain…but secretly, I wondered to myself, “How in the world is Simon walking so fast? It must be his shoes…” I will console myself with these thoughts over and over again as I saw Simon taking the lead on most walks. He was definitely on a mission and he was so committed, and persistent at it! He definitely inspired me to keep on going. Sometimes, Simon was delayed at work and so he was not able to start with the group at the original time. And so routinely, we would start our walk…but then, here came Simon, just as we were going up the hills, he would walk straight past us and super fast…”Errrrrr,” I thought to myself…”Not again, this dude!!!!” and I would pant, and pant, and breathe heavily, just trying to catch up with him but no success, he had already passed the group; and you will see him going down the hill, and up the hill, and down again before continuing to walk on the plain grassy lands. Soon I would loose sight of him until we got to the finish line. Sometimes, he would wait, if he had time, and I would never forget that bright smile, happy face, encouraging gestures, and excited voice as he cheered, “Come on Diana, almost done…” I will definitely miss you Simon and may your soul rest in perfect peace, Amen!!!!! May God comfort your family, friends, loved ones and everyone who remembers you as we grieve the loss of a beautiful and precious gem named Simon Eng. We will always remember you and you will always be in our hearts forever.
Hi Lily and family ,
My prayers are with you and I will miss Simon’s jokes he always had the tech in central pharmacy at johns Hopkins hospital laughing our self sick . I love you Lily
Lynn
I have nearly sixteen hundred emails from Eng, Simon over my eight years or so in OGD/OPQ chemistry. In the last one from two weeks ago, Simon was helping a colleague and I enter our data into a newly revised computer system at FDA. In one a week earlier, he provided retirement party photographs of a co-worker who had passed away unexpectedly (Ken Furnkrantz). As a Project Manager, Simon kept our team moving on, overcoming any obstacles that might present themselves. As the de-facto official photographer for OGD and OPQ events, he kept our offices together as people who genuinely cared for each other’s well-being. Even those of us who shied away from his camera over the years could not resist his charm and invitation to participate in our events. I will miss seeing his often-smiling face, his light-hearted mannerisms (aka jokes!) during lunch time walks or chance meetings in the hallways, and his overall ability to make work fun! He was without equal when it came to being “a great co-worker” and representative of the best of FDA.
I remember CAPT Eng’s training and welcoming young PHS officers when I first joined FDA in 2002. Somehow, I keep having this bond with him over the years even though he’s thousands of miles away. We continue to keep in touch. Several years ago, he called me and we were discussing about his son moving to California to take a field position like me. Just last year, I got to work with Simon on several CDER integrated product review products where he helped lead the projects through his easy going and friendly efforts. This year, I was planning to visit Simon as I make my way to a new CDER position. I was so looking forward to seeing the Simon who is humble, funny, happy, down to earth and just a cool guy!!! I truly miss Simon!!!
Words cannot describe the shock and sadness I experienced since learning of Simon’s passing…especially since I had just seen him with his son David just a couple of hours before it happened. In addition to being a great colleague that I had the privilege of working with for a number of years, Simon possessed a true gift of being able to substantially brighten the day of everyone who came in contact with him. Making the world a better place is often an overused cliché, but Simon did just that for CDER and beyond. His vision of life was truly remarkable. He was indeed an inspiration to us all. He will always be remembered and his kind spirit will be missed.
My deepest sympathies go out to David and the rest of the family.
It was an honor to have known CAPT Simon Eng and we will truly miss him. Simon was a kind man and embodied all the values of kindness, honesty, service and compassion. Simon always carried this contagious positive vibes and he shared that vibe to the people around him. He always had a smile on his face, very warm and approachable and welcoming, always trying to help. I always remembered that whenever I saw Simon (either in the hallways, office, meetings, lunch, etc.), he always said “chao em (hello to a young person)” to me with a big bright smile and I always responded “chao ong (hello elder)” to him. Then he said, no “chao ong” as I am still young at heart. I will surely miss the presence of a truly loveable and kind person.
I express my sincere sympathy to you and your family.
Mr. Eng, you played a big part in my life during my early 20s. Thank you for hosting us for countless get togethers and BBQs at your house. I know that we were probably too loud and too messy at times, but you always welcomed us with a giant smile. You were definitely there to share in the many memories we made there. We could always count on you to take fantastic action photos during our annual Thanksgiving football games. You are one of the most generous and down to earth people I have ever known. Your greatness is really reflected in the people around you, your wife and your two great sons. As far as I can tell, you were model son, father, and husband. I was very happy to learn that my sister got to meet and know you at the FDA. Mr. Eng your presence will definitely be missed, but I know that you are in heaven smiling down on us with that BIG smile. 🙂
When I first joined FDA two years ago, several of us reviewers sat in the cubicles right across Captain Eng’s office. I was first impressed by his office because of a cartoon poster on the frosted glass panel, speaking for the energetic, bright personality of the person in that office.
Simon was one of the first people came to our cubicles and struck a very warming conversation. He asked each of us what was our favorite cartoon character/movie/star. And, the next thing you knew, he designed and printed our personalized name tags with, our favorite character/movie/star on them! Before we moved to offices on a different floor, we always heard his pleasant greetings and laughs whenever he was around.
I got know Simon more on a morning about 4 months after I came to FDA. Early on that day we suddenly received emails about a possible shooting. The campus was put on lock down. I got scared and lost in the cubicles. Simon came and let me stay in his office. He talked calmly and assured me that we should be safe. Time passed by, he showed me his picture collections of FDA activities and weddings of FDA colleagues, we talked about families and kids. The lock down was cleared. I am still so thankful whenever I thought about that day.
Simon is the kind of person that lights up the place where he goes, warms people whom he meets. He will be missed greatly and deeply.
I would not be where I am today without Simon. He was my supervisor at the NIH when I was still in pharmacy school. After I graduated, I moved out of state and after a visit back, he told me, “Sarah, what are you doing out there all by yourself? Your family is back here, you should come back home.” I was young and wanted to be carefree, but Simon always looked out for me and provided me the opportunity to come back home…and introduce me to my husband. I am so honored that he considered me his “daughter”. That was Simon…he took care of everyone and never asked for anything in return. He never complained, even when he hurt himself doing stuff for others. He was a man who genuinely appreciated everything and everyone and truly embraced life. He loved to learn and to teach…whether it was teaching me Chinese, speaking Korean or Vietnamese, or whacking Dat with the pointer when he wasn’t paying attention. He was always so positive and always wanted to make everyone laugh and be happy. We loved when he used to go down the hallway with his cart and honk his horn. I know sometimes we’d groan when he’d take so many pictures of us, but being the sentimental guy he was, we now all have memories we can look back on due to him. We all have been so fortunate to have been able to come across such a wonderful person. He is definitely one in a million. I miss you “dad”.
I first met Simon at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and was immediately impressed with his easy manner, sense of humor and leadership qualities. I had heard of him but we both worked part-time on opposite weekends at the time so it took a while before I was to meet him. He only worked a few days a month but I’m sure he only did this to keep up with other aspects of Pharmacy. Later on, after I retired, I began doing volunteer work at the FDA History Office in Silver Spring and I soon learned what a lot of abbreviations meant like CDER and OGD. I set up a meeting with Simon at one of the FDA cafeterias. My colleagues and I were ijmpressed when he showed up wearing his Captain’s uniform. Being former military, I understood just how high his rank was and how much of a person he had to be to achieve this rank. I was unaware of his photographic skills even though that is primarily what I do in my volunteer position at the History Office. I will never forget Simon. My condolences to Lily and his family.
I believe Simon loved being “neighborly”. Last year when I was looking for a gardner, after 26 years, I left a note at Simon’s home because the trees he planted always lived and the grass was manicured to my liking. To my disappointment, he told me he cared for his own lawn, but was willing to give me the telephone number of one he trusted. The word in the neighborhood is “he went out of his way to give.” Joe Garrett, neighbor, told me of the time Simon rented a core-aerator and because he had rental time left he went around and aerated his and another neighbors lawn. That’s the kind of neighbor Simon was. He will be sorely missed in our neighborhood.
Zorita Thomas
My condolences to the Eng family. I knew Simon as an inspirational walker. He always greeted me with a warm smile and a hello. I’d finish my dog walk, just to see him on his second or third lap around the neighborhood- each time I got his lovely greeting. It wasn’t until I saw the photo of him in his uniform that I realized that he worked in my building at FDA, before his office moved to White Oak. I will think of him fondly whenever I walk in our neighborhood, when I race in the White Oak Classic and also as I work to support FDA’s mission. I am so sorry for your loss.
My condolences to the Eng family. No words can express my sadness. Simon was my supervisor when I was a pharmacist at NIH. He was fair, encouraging,and a wonderful man. When I started working for FDA in 2001 I ran into Simon again and would see him walking around the Metro Park Complex. Also when I walked in the White Oak Classic I would always run into seeing him there and he would always take a picture of his former NIH family. He was one in a million and I will miss him deeply.
There is nothing more devastating than losing such a great mentor and role model in life. Simon and I met at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, where I worked as a pharmacy student intern. Later on, I became one of his students at the FDA. Through out all these years I’ve known Simon, he was always caring and loving. He treated everyone with an open heart and helped everyone that he could. Though I moved away, we never lost touch. Simon continued to support and inspire me in life and career. From Simon, I learned how to always be positive, happy, giving and appreciative.
I will never forget how he changed my life, and I will share everything that I have learned from him to others. All the advice he gave me, all the good times we spent as teacher-student-friend, and all the dreams/plans that we talked about, will forever be with me. Simon, you will always live in my heart and I will miss you a lot.
Simon and his family moved in the same development around the same time as my family. My two sons: Freddy and Andrew are friends of David and Stephen. When they were young, my sons spent numerous hours, had sleep-overs in his house. They would reiterate how Simon advised them in all aspects. He even chauffeured Andrew and Stephen to middle school every morning so sparing them from waiting for school bus. When I was contempating to pursue PharmD degree, I approached him for advice which he kindly and patiently explained to me. Simon was a very kowlegeable person, even in the areas of gardening and house-fixing. My husband and I had consulted him frequently for some house works. He was a selfless neighbor, he helped me clearing my driveway last winter so I was able to drive out to work. He kept on saying with smile ” Your work place needs you to work!”
Simon is the most genuine, friendly person I have ever known. His footprints had left in many people’s path. I miss him greatly and he will always in our hearts. Now physically he is away from being a son, husband, father, sibling and friend, yet I truly believe he is up above in heaven acting in spirit. It is beyond words to express my appreciation and condolences. I just want to say: ” Thank you for being my neighbor and friend!”
Dear Family of Simon Eng,
We were really privileged to know your father. He was a great person and model PHS officer. We will really miss him and send our deepest condolences.
Simon was one of those people that you loved to cross paths with from time-to-time, and he had a knack for helping people, and for brightening up a room. We will always remember Simon’s great character, willingness to lend a hand, and infectious smile.
As we think about him now, and in the future, he will continue to lift our spirits and serve as a role model for kindness, empathy, and positivity.
Sincerely,
Bill and Jade
Dear Family of Simon Eng,
We feel real fortunate and privileged to know your father. He was such a true friend, listened to other peoples, cared so much about other peoples happiness, and full of passion. He is inspirational and the role model for how to treat other people. No words can express our sadness and sorrow of losing him.
The second day when I joined the FDA, he came to my office to say hi, and asked what he could help. He introduced me to a lunch walking group, he wrote down his Chinese name for me, and he asked me to write down my Chinese name for him on a stick, and he put it on the wall in his office, and remembered my name. This is also how I remembered his Chinese name forever. He made the new employee fill like home when they just joined the agency.
He organized so many walking activities, walking with his was just such a fun, and made me would not want to miss any no matter what.
I also had a privilege to work with him on one of the drug shortage products, his dedication to the work was very impressive. He worked so hard and tracked all the progress so efficiently, so our product got approved ahead of time.
We will miss him forever.
Respectfully,
Gloria
So sorry to hear Simon had passed away, I was on vacation at the time otherwise I would have paid my respects to him and his family. I remember when Simon and Diane first came to America and lived on the same street as us. We knew Kathy and their Mom before meeting Simon and Diane. Simon was a photographer back then too. He loved to take pictures of everyday people in the street and often saying everyone was “beautiful”. He was also so encouraging for us to speak to him in Chinese rather than ridicule us when we misspoke words. In fact he tutored me in calligraphy because I wanted to be able to write, and I did send a full letter to his cousin Hong written in Chinese when he was in the army, (that was my first and last Chinese letter). Hong replied with a Chinese letter of his own.
Simon’s English was amazing and he had no trouble understanding/speaking it when he first came to America, that’s why we spoke to each other in Chinese. I remember one time he and my brother Jimmy decided to go downtown and actually RUN up the Washington Monument, and then back down again, (later that was banned because too many people had to be rescued). Above all I remember him as always being humble and leading by example. So Rest in Peace, and may God bless his family.
遠行 （懷伍碩文， 1951-2016）
那一夜
你走了
不告而別
嗚呼
唯有模模糊糊的鏡頭
捕捉我們走過無數次蜿蜒山水間
一幕幕變幻的山影，樹影，花影 及人影
幾經左彎右拐
覆落於湖水中
在你長吁短嘆之間1
夾雜著狗吠鳥鳴
為後學解惑，啟發，及逗樂
一陣風吹起
似乎還可以聽到
Do you know what I mean, jelly bean?
Do you understand, rubber band?2
老友，謝謝你陪我們走過的路及留下美好記憶
安息吧
1Simon was an asthmatic and he often coughed and made noises when he walked with us.
2Simon used this joking thing a lot.
Dear Family of Simon Eng,
We here at Simon’s office are devastated to hear of the passing of our beloved colleague and friend. Simon contributed so much to the progression of our department, and was very instrumental in the developing stages of the Office of Program and Regulatory Operations.
Most importantly, we’ve come to know Simon as a dear, passionate fun loving guy who cherished his family, coworkers, and the work he performed here at the Food and Drug Administration. He was our awesome Photographer!
Our thoughts and prayers are towards you and your family at this time. Truly, he made us all feel like family! We were so blessed to be a part of the life of Simon Eng.
Respectfully, OPRO, Office of Program and Regulatory Operations, FDA
I’m the neighbor friend of Simon last 26years. He was like a one of my real brother. When I opened my garage door, his house’s facing only 30 ft away, see him almost every day. Probably I ‘m the last person saw him hour before accident. We talked outside my house about an 20 minutes that night when I told to Simon my daughter came from Hong Kong for visit us, he want to take my daughter to take out for the lunch. He was so tender and loving care man. I’ll miss him so much,but never forget how wonderful good man was. Simon, I miss you and love you so much. Shawn
My beloved Uncle Simon was the rock for my mom’s side of the family and the leader, shouldering many responsibilities (and the cost of burden that comes with it) to make it easier for everyone else. There are some people in life that are “just there” and don’t add any value to family, community/society. My uncle was not one of these people. He made life better and more fun for everyone. His passing is a huge loss to our family and I will miss him very much.
I will leave here the same following comments about Simon that I left on the Nextdoor Normandy Hills website two days ago.
We are also a neighbor of the Ng’s. Although we didn’t know Simon as well as you (Zorita Thomas) because we live a few more houses away, we did interact with him over the years especially during our long running, 4-year effort to get the property manager to do their job and fix the broken fence and the drainage issue in the stretch of common areas at the back of our houses along Willow Run Court (which they finally did last year after a concerned Board member found out about it and intervened on our behalf).
We found Simon to be very generous and friendly with a deep love for the Normandy Hills community. Though we did not benefit directly from his generosity, we are aware that he routinely went around the neighborhood offering help during times of need. The relatively deep incline of our street makes it accumulate more snow than other areas including his own but, many times, we saw him going around the neighborhood offering help with his snow blower. A few years back, we had a 7-day power outage. Simon happened to own a generator and he would run a line from his house to his next door neighbor to power her (a widow living by herself) appliances.
Indeed, Simon will be sorely missed.
Win Aung.
I am so shocked and saddened for my sporting friend Lily, David, Stephen and all your family at your sudden, tragic and incomprehensible loss.
I first met Simon, and Stephen who was able to join our Northern Virginia United senior women’s basketball group at a Mystics game, back in 2005. I had just joined the group and was feeling shy and awkward and Simon was warm and funny and I felt relieved to have him there, grateful to have shared and enjoy Stephen and Lily’s company and the family. I think of the kindnesses I always felt about Simon and his great interest in others, and especially enjoyed his sly sense of humor, a quality like he was winking at the world despite everything else. This I most remember of him as I would see him here and there over the years that followed. I had absolutely no idea how accomplished he was, that he enjoyed other common interests with me like running, the military and gardening as he never talked of himself. He reminds me now how much better I could do to reach out more in the time we do share. I will close on a positive to say, thank you, Simon, for being with Lily and our teammates in St George, UT and the wonderful time we shared with you enjoying God’s creation. No way to know that would be the last time I would see him.
May the good things in Creation comfort and sustain you as you continue on your paths without your son, husband, father, uncle, brother.
Dear Family of Simon Eng,
While we here at San Francisco District Office of FDA didn’t personally know Simon, we do know David and work with him every day. We offer our sincere condolences at the passing of your Father, Brother, Son, Uncle, Friend. However, we do know that his legacy is passed on through his son David. David has been a joy to work with as a colleague and we look forward to that continued fruitful relationship. We are heartily sorry for your loss.
Dear Family of Simon Eng:
No words can express my sadness.
Simon was the PM when I join team Chemistry I in Division I OGD. Since then we have been friends.
I had the privilege to know Simon for many years as a coworker and real friend, first at the NIH Clinical Center Pharmacy Dept. and then when he expressed an interest in coming to the FDA’s Office of Generic Drugs (OGD) to work for me as a Project Manager. Knowing Simon’s work ethic and professionalism, I jumped at the opportunity to bring him to OGD.
Even though Simon was a very competent supervisor at the Clinical Center Pharmacy, his billet would not support his promotion to CAPT O-6 rank. Again, knowing his capabilities I assured him that we would be able to get his qualifications duly recognized in order to get him the promotion he so richly deserved, and within a year’s time it came to pass at the next promotion board.
Simon was the consummate professional pharmacist officer, and although I may have been his supervisor, I looked up to him for his advice, his support, his strength of character, and most importantly his concern and care for others. He was a true friend to me in difficult times and would frequently call me just to check it to see how I was doing. It seems that Simon had the genuine ability to make everyone he touched feel special, and he touched so many. While he often expressed his gratitude towards me, I was the lucky one to have known him and to have had his fine friendship. Farewell Simon and may God Bless you! Tim
Simon was the first person I met on the day of reporting to work at Standish place on March 05, 2008. I was at the wrong building and I was completely lost. He took me over to the correct location. Every time we met during the 9 years of my service at FDA, he would remind me of the incident. He is a very good friend, person. He is a true gentleman. May his soul rest in peace. He is a very inspiring person.
Santhosh Pabba
CAPT Simon was a man of few words, but when he spoke he was very wise and encouraging, indeed. I remember the moment when I returned to work after some life challenges, and CAPT Eng saw me from afar in a long hall near a meeting room. He walked towards me, extended his hand (to shake mine), and said “I see you made it back.” And smiled, kindly. This meant very much to me in a very difficult time and I will not ever forget the work ethic, the focus, the determination to progressively be excellent that CAPT Eng exhibited in his professional life in OGD. May I continue in your shadow of excellence, CAPT Eng, as you rest in peace.
I always called him Captain, with respect and love. He was kind, funny colleague, who made everyone around him laugh. He was always behind camera capturing many memories at work place, he would ask us to jump high, as high as you can, give pose. Than very promptly forward those pictures with cute captions. I have several pictures from him, taken at many different FDA event. He was truly one of kind, one in a million. Rest in peace Captain.
-ram randad
CAPT Eng was a wonderful man and a caring human being. I’ll never forget how kind he was to me when I first began working for the FDA nearly four years ago. I was a young LT in the USPHS at the time and new to OGD. CAPT Eng engaged me in conversation from the moment we crossed paths with a genuine sense of consideration and collegiality. He was always humble and always had a smile on his face, despite the challenges that life and work presented at times. CAPT Eng truly made the most of the unique opportunity for camaraderie afforded to us at our workplace and is a lasting reminder of the importance of those bonds. He will be remembered as a fellow officer that gave his life for the advancement of the good of humanity and will be missed dearly by all who knew him.
CAPT Simon Eng was awesome!!!! He was just a special gem; and I will be missed him a lotttttttttttt!!!!!!!! I met Simon when he worked in the Office of Generic Drugs and we communicated a lot on Project Management-related matters. He was just so humble, very kind, very wise, genuine, passionate, and a loving soul. He always reached out when I needed his help to answer clarifying questions. Even though I was not his student, I definitely could have passed for one. He was a teacher at heart…funny, bubbly, high-spirited and a joke star. I remember the walking days….Whenever I was available to walk and when the temperature was just right like on sunny days in Standish/Derwood, MD, I would join the walking group and we would walk through the grassy backyards of single homes, pass the dogs who barked so loudly at the sight of us…that it used to scare me every time, and Simon would say,”Ahhh, just ignore them, and keep walking Diana…” and this is what he would say as he passed me and a few people in the group. Then, he would keep on walking and be gone, like the wind, I would try and keep up, pretending like I was not hurting and not in pain…but secretly, I wondered to myself, “How in the world is Simon walking so fast? It must be his shoes…” I will console myself with these thoughts over and over again as I saw Simon taking the lead on most walks. He was definitely on a mission and he was so committed, and persistent at it! He definitely inspired me to keep on going. Sometimes, Simon was delayed at work and so he was not able to start with the group at the original time. And so routinely, we would start our walk…but then, here came Simon, just as we were going up the hills, he would walk straight past us and super fast…”Errrrrr,” I thought to myself…”Not again, this dude!!!!” and I would pant, and pant, and breathe heavily, just trying to catch up with him but no success, he had already passed the group; and you will see him going down the hill, and up the hill, and down again before continuing to walk on the plain grassy lands. Soon I would loose sight of him until we got to the finish line. Sometimes, he would wait, if he had time, and I would never forget that bright smile, happy face, encouraging gestures, and excited voice as he cheered, “Come on Diana, almost done…” I will definitely miss you Simon and may your soul rest in perfect peace, Amen!!!!! May God comfort your family, friends, loved ones and everyone who remembers you as we grieve the loss of a beautiful and precious gem named Simon Eng. We will always remember you and you will always be in our hearts forever.
Hi Lily and family ,
My prayers are with you and I will miss Simon’s jokes he always had the tech in central pharmacy at johns Hopkins hospital laughing our self sick . I love you Lily
Lynn
I have nearly sixteen hundred emails from Eng, Simon over my eight years or so in OGD/OPQ chemistry. In the last one from two weeks ago, Simon was helping a colleague and I enter our data into a newly revised computer system at FDA. In one a week earlier, he provided retirement party photographs of a co-worker who had passed away unexpectedly (Ken Furnkrantz). As a Project Manager, Simon kept our team moving on, overcoming any obstacles that might present themselves. As the de-facto official photographer for OGD and OPQ events, he kept our offices together as people who genuinely cared for each other’s well-being. Even those of us who shied away from his camera over the years could not resist his charm and invitation to participate in our events. I will miss seeing his often-smiling face, his light-hearted mannerisms (aka jokes!) during lunch time walks or chance meetings in the hallways, and his overall ability to make work fun! He was without equal when it came to being “a great co-worker” and representative of the best of FDA.
I remember CAPT Eng’s training and welcoming young PHS officers when I first joined FDA in 2002. Somehow, I keep having this bond with him over the years even though he’s thousands of miles away. We continue to keep in touch. Several years ago, he called me and we were discussing about his son moving to California to take a field position like me. Just last year, I got to work with Simon on several CDER integrated product review products where he helped lead the projects through his easy going and friendly efforts. This year, I was planning to visit Simon as I make my way to a new CDER position. I was so looking forward to seeing the Simon who is humble, funny, happy, down to earth and just a cool guy!!! I truly miss Simon!!!
Words cannot describe the shock and sadness I experienced since learning of Simon’s passing…especially since I had just seen him with his son David just a couple of hours before it happened. In addition to being a great colleague that I had the privilege of working with for a number of years, Simon possessed a true gift of being able to substantially brighten the day of everyone who came in contact with him. Making the world a better place is often an overused cliché, but Simon did just that for CDER and beyond. His vision of life was truly remarkable. He was indeed an inspiration to us all. He will always be remembered and his kind spirit will be missed.
My deepest sympathies go out to David and the rest of the family.
It was an honor to have known CAPT Simon Eng and we will truly miss him. Simon was a kind man and embodied all the values of kindness, honesty, service and compassion. Simon always carried this contagious positive vibes and he shared that vibe to the people around him. He always had a smile on his face, very warm and approachable and welcoming, always trying to help. I always remembered that whenever I saw Simon (either in the hallways, office, meetings, lunch, etc.), he always said “chao em (hello to a young person)” to me with a big bright smile and I always responded “chao ong (hello elder)” to him. Then he said, no “chao ong” as I am still young at heart. I will surely miss the presence of a truly loveable and kind person.
I express my sincere sympathy to you and your family.
Mr. Eng, you played a big part in my life during my early 20s. Thank you for hosting us for countless get togethers and BBQs at your house. I know that we were probably too loud and too messy at times, but you always welcomed us with a giant smile. You were definitely there to share in the many memories we made there. We could always count on you to take fantastic action photos during our annual Thanksgiving football games. You are one of the most generous and down to earth people I have ever known. Your greatness is really reflected in the people around you, your wife and your two great sons. As far as I can tell, you were model son, father, and husband. I was very happy to learn that my sister got to meet and know you at the FDA. Mr. Eng your presence will definitely be missed, but I know that you are in heaven smiling down on us with that BIG smile. 🙂
When I first joined FDA two years ago, several of us reviewers sat in the cubicles right across Captain Eng’s office. I was first impressed by his office because of a cartoon poster on the frosted glass panel, speaking for the energetic, bright personality of the person in that office.
Simon was one of the first people came to our cubicles and struck a very warming conversation. He asked each of us what was our favorite cartoon character/movie/star. And, the next thing you knew, he designed and printed our personalized name tags with, our favorite character/movie/star on them! Before we moved to offices on a different floor, we always heard his pleasant greetings and laughs whenever he was around.
I got know Simon more on a morning about 4 months after I came to FDA. Early on that day we suddenly received emails about a possible shooting. The campus was put on lock down. I got scared and lost in the cubicles. Simon came and let me stay in his office. He talked calmly and assured me that we should be safe. Time passed by, he showed me his picture collections of FDA activities and weddings of FDA colleagues, we talked about families and kids. The lock down was cleared. I am still so thankful whenever I thought about that day.
Simon is the kind of person that lights up the place where he goes, warms people whom he meets. He will be missed greatly and deeply.
I would not be where I am today without Simon. He was my supervisor at the NIH when I was still in pharmacy school. After I graduated, I moved out of state and after a visit back, he told me, “Sarah, what are you doing out there all by yourself? Your family is back here, you should come back home.” I was young and wanted to be carefree, but Simon always looked out for me and provided me the opportunity to come back home…and introduce me to my husband. I am so honored that he considered me his “daughter”. That was Simon…he took care of everyone and never asked for anything in return. He never complained, even when he hurt himself doing stuff for others. He was a man who genuinely appreciated everything and everyone and truly embraced life. He loved to learn and to teach…whether it was teaching me Chinese, speaking Korean or Vietnamese, or whacking Dat with the pointer when he wasn’t paying attention. He was always so positive and always wanted to make everyone laugh and be happy. We loved when he used to go down the hallway with his cart and honk his horn. I know sometimes we’d groan when he’d take so many pictures of us, but being the sentimental guy he was, we now all have memories we can look back on due to him. We all have been so fortunate to have been able to come across such a wonderful person. He is definitely one in a million. I miss you “dad”.
I first met Simon at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and was immediately impressed with his easy manner, sense of humor and leadership qualities. I had heard of him but we both worked part-time on opposite weekends at the time so it took a while before I was to meet him. He only worked a few days a month but I’m sure he only did this to keep up with other aspects of Pharmacy. Later on, after I retired, I began doing volunteer work at the FDA History Office in Silver Spring and I soon learned what a lot of abbreviations meant like CDER and OGD. I set up a meeting with Simon at one of the FDA cafeterias. My colleagues and I were ijmpressed when he showed up wearing his Captain’s uniform. Being former military, I understood just how high his rank was and how much of a person he had to be to achieve this rank. I was unaware of his photographic skills even though that is primarily what I do in my volunteer position at the History Office. I will never forget Simon. My condolences to Lily and his family.
I believe Simon loved being “neighborly”. Last year when I was looking for a gardner, after 26 years, I left a note at Simon’s home because the trees he planted always lived and the grass was manicured to my liking. To my disappointment, he told me he cared for his own lawn, but was willing to give me the telephone number of one he trusted. The word in the neighborhood is “he went out of his way to give.” Joe Garrett, neighbor, told me of the time Simon rented a core-aerator and because he had rental time left he went around and aerated his and another neighbors lawn. That’s the kind of neighbor Simon was. He will be sorely missed in our neighborhood.
Zorita Thomas
My condolences to the Eng family. I knew Simon as an inspirational walker. He always greeted me with a warm smile and a hello. I’d finish my dog walk, just to see him on his second or third lap around the neighborhood- each time I got his lovely greeting. It wasn’t until I saw the photo of him in his uniform that I realized that he worked in my building at FDA, before his office moved to White Oak. I will think of him fondly whenever I walk in our neighborhood, when I race in the White Oak Classic and also as I work to support FDA’s mission. I am so sorry for your loss.
My condolences to the Eng family. No words can express my sadness. Simon was my supervisor when I was a pharmacist at NIH. He was fair, encouraging,and a wonderful man. When I started working for FDA in 2001 I ran into Simon again and would see him walking around the Metro Park Complex. Also when I walked in the White Oak Classic I would always run into seeing him there and he would always take a picture of his former NIH family. He was one in a million and I will miss him deeply.
There is nothing more devastating than losing such a great mentor and role model in life. Simon and I met at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, where I worked as a pharmacy student intern. Later on, I became one of his students at the FDA. Through out all these years I’ve known Simon, he was always caring and loving. He treated everyone with an open heart and helped everyone that he could. Though I moved away, we never lost touch. Simon continued to support and inspire me in life and career. From Simon, I learned how to always be positive, happy, giving and appreciative.
I will never forget how he changed my life, and I will share everything that I have learned from him to others. All the advice he gave me, all the good times we spent as teacher-student-friend, and all the dreams/plans that we talked about, will forever be with me. Simon, you will always live in my heart and I will miss you a lot.
Simon and his family moved in the same development around the same time as my family. My two sons: Freddy and Andrew are friends of David and Stephen. When they were young, my sons spent numerous hours, had sleep-overs in his house. They would reiterate how Simon advised them in all aspects. He even chauffeured Andrew and Stephen to middle school every morning so sparing them from waiting for school bus. When I was contempating to pursue PharmD degree, I approached him for advice which he kindly and patiently explained to me. Simon was a very kowlegeable person, even in the areas of gardening and house-fixing. My husband and I had consulted him frequently for some house works. He was a selfless neighbor, he helped me clearing my driveway last winter so I was able to drive out to work. He kept on saying with smile ” Your work place needs you to work!”
Simon is the most genuine, friendly person I have ever known. His footprints had left in many people’s path. I miss him greatly and he will always in our hearts. Now physically he is away from being a son, husband, father, sibling and friend, yet I truly believe he is up above in heaven acting in spirit. It is beyond words to express my appreciation and condolences. I just want to say: ” Thank you for being my neighbor and friend!”
Dear Family of Simon Eng,
We were really privileged to know your father. He was a great person and model PHS officer. We will really miss him and send our deepest condolences.
Simon was one of those people that you loved to cross paths with from time-to-time, and he had a knack for helping people, and for brightening up a room. We will always remember Simon’s great character, willingness to lend a hand, and infectious smile.
As we think about him now, and in the future, he will continue to lift our spirits and serve as a role model for kindness, empathy, and positivity.
Sincerely,
Bill and Jade
Dear Family of Simon Eng,
We feel real fortunate and privileged to know your father. He was such a true friend, listened to other peoples, cared so much about other peoples happiness, and full of passion. He is inspirational and the role model for how to treat other people. No words can express our sadness and sorrow of losing him.
The second day when I joined the FDA, he came to my office to say hi, and asked what he could help. He introduced me to a lunch walking group, he wrote down his Chinese name for me, and he asked me to write down my Chinese name for him on a stick, and he put it on the wall in his office, and remembered my name. This is also how I remembered his Chinese name forever. He made the new employee fill like home when they just joined the agency.
He organized so many walking activities, walking with his was just such a fun, and made me would not want to miss any no matter what.
I also had a privilege to work with him on one of the drug shortage products, his dedication to the work was very impressive. He worked so hard and tracked all the progress so efficiently, so our product got approved ahead of time.
We will miss him forever.
Respectfully,
Gloria
So sorry to hear Simon had passed away, I was on vacation at the time otherwise I would have paid my respects to him and his family. I remember when Simon and Diane first came to America and lived on the same street as us. We knew Kathy and their Mom before meeting Simon and Diane. Simon was a photographer back then too. He loved to take pictures of everyday people in the street and often saying everyone was “beautiful”. He was also so encouraging for us to speak to him in Chinese rather than ridicule us when we misspoke words. In fact he tutored me in calligraphy because I wanted to be able to write, and I did send a full letter to his cousin Hong written in Chinese when he was in the army, (that was my first and last Chinese letter). Hong replied with a Chinese letter of his own.
Simon’s English was amazing and he had no trouble understanding/speaking it when he first came to America, that’s why we spoke to each other in Chinese. I remember one time he and my brother Jimmy decided to go downtown and actually RUN up the Washington Monument, and then back down again, (later that was banned because too many people had to be rescued). Above all I remember him as always being humble and leading by example. So Rest in Peace, and may God bless his family.
遠行 （懷伍碩文， 1951-2016）
那一夜
你走了
不告而別
嗚呼
唯有模模糊糊的鏡頭
捕捉我們走過無數次蜿蜒山水間
一幕幕變幻的山影，樹影，花影 及人影
幾經左彎右拐
覆落於湖水中
在你長吁短嘆之間1
夾雜著狗吠鳥鳴
為後學解惑，啟發，及逗樂
一陣風吹起
似乎還可以聽到
Do you know what I mean, jelly bean?
Do you understand, rubber band?2
老友，謝謝你陪我們走過的路及留下美好記憶
安息吧
1Simon was an asthmatic and he often coughed and made noises when he walked with us.
2Simon used this joking thing a lot.