Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Stan Lou, 1882 Foundation Board Member

Dear Reader,
We have sad news to share. On September 11, Stanley (Stan) Lou, 1882 Foundation Board Member, passed away. Please read the message below in honor of his memory.

Since its founding in 2009, the 1882 Foundation has worked to preserve Chinese American history, elevate community voices, and ensure that the stories of Chinese immigrants and their descendants are remembered and shared. Throughout this journey, we have been fortunate to work alongside individuals whose generosity, dedication, and vision have helped shape our mission. Our dear friend, colleague, and Foundation board member, Stanley (Stan) Lou, was someone who exhibited an unmatched generosity and dedication to our mission. Stan passed away on September 11, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Stan was a steadfast supporter of the Foundation, a trusted confidant, and a cherished friend to our chairman, Ted Gong. Their relationship began at a Talk Story event featuring the Remembering 1882 exhibit, on loan from the Chinese Historical Society of America. From that first meeting, Stan became an integral part of the Foundation community, bringing his curiosity, warmth, and deep appreciation for stories to everything he did.

Stan understood that the history of a community lives not only in its landmarks and historical records, but also in its books, films, conversations, and the experiences passed from one generation to the next. He and Ted regularly exchanged ideas about the meaning of Chinatowns, the power of Talk Story, and the literature and films that illuminate the Chinese American experience. Inspired by his love of reading and storytelling, Stan became the Foundation’s unofficial literature and film expert, establishing what became known as the “Lit Corner” in our office and online. Through the Lit Corner, Stan helped bring young people, students, and creative minds into the Foundation’s work. He encouraged them to explore history, ask questions, and discover the stories within their own lives and communities. His influence helped nurture the Foundation’s intern program and contributed to the development of what is now the Chinatown Futures Initiative. His spirit of curiosity, mentorship, and community-building also helped shape the Foundation’s presence in our current home, supported by the University of California Washington Center.

Like all of the Foundation’s directors, Stan volunteered his time and talents in service of a mission he believed in. Ted often imagined opening a small Chinese American bookstore beside the Foundation’s Chinatown office, where Stan could surround himself with the books and films he loved and welcome anyone interested in a good conversation. Although that vision never fully materialized during Stan’s lifetime, a new opportunity has emerged to bring its spirit to life.

The Foundation received welcome news that the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development approved a grant to support the completion of the layout and blueprints for the Bean Sprout Factory: Crafts, Toys, and Books. Within the new shop being constructed by Monument Realty behind Tony Cheng’s in the heart of DC Chinatown, a dedicated book space will be named “Stan’s Lit Corner.” This space will carry forward the ideas Stan championed: books, films, conversation, curiosity, and, above all, Talk Story. It will be a place where community members and future generations can discover history, exchange ideas, and create new connections through storytelling.

One of the 1882 Foundation’s core messages captures the importance of this work: “Talk Story: The strength of our community lies in the power of our stories remembered and shared.” Stan embodied this belief. He understood that preserving the past is only part of our responsibility; we must also create opportunities for new stories to emerge and for the next generation to find, develop, and share their own voices. Through his encouragement of young people and his commitment to the exchange of ideas, Stan helped make that vision possible.

We are deeply grateful for Stan’s friendship, service, and lasting contributions to the 1882 Foundation. While we will miss him dearly, his legacy will endure in every book shared, every conversation sparked, every young person inspired to explore their history, and every new story yet to be told.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Stan’s three children and all who loved him. Stan’s Lit Corner will be a lasting tribute to a life devoted to curiosity, connection, and the power of stories. His story will remain an enduring part of ours.

– 1882 Foundation