(The following text is an excerpt from the book Chinese Americans in Irvine 1971-2021.)
Editor's Note: A tribute, written in 2009 by Ji Wan Qiao, to Irvine Evergreen Chinese Senior Association and its founding member Mr. Chung Fan.
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Irvine Evergreen Chinese Senior Association, I was reminded how I stumbled upon a book of poems with exquisite binding and elegant design at the Irvine Library two years ago. I decided to purchase this book, “Golden Years”, after leafing through the pages and discovering the poems were unquestionably easy to understand, resonating, and touching! It turns out that this book was compiled by the children of Mr. Chung Fan, the author of the poems, as a congratulatory gift to celebrate their father’s 84th birthday.
In this collection of poems, not only is Mr. Fan’s talent for composition and rhymes undeniable, but his profound thoughts and exuberance between the lines were also easily perceived. Although I never personally met Mr. Fan, I was able to witness his life journey through his poetry. His legacy can be especially highlighted after he retired and settled in the United States, where he founded the IECSA. He embraced people & communities with an open-heart attitude; optimistically, positively, and constantly rising above the challenges of life and living each day with boldness. This is such an encouragement to compel us forward. I am including the following excerpts from the book to offer a glimpse of his life.
Chung Fan presented a gift of calligraphy to Mya Sanders (retired superintendent for the city of Irvine)
贈送書法給退休爾灣市府主管 Mya Sanders
Calligraphy work of Chung Fan to welcome UCI Chancellor Laurel L. Wilkening in 1993. (courtesy of East Asian Collections of UCI library)
范仲的書法作品代表華人社團歡迎爾灣加大校長Laurel L. Wildening，現收藏於爾灣加大東亞圖書館。
Chung Fan created artwork using eucalyptus bark he collected around Irvine
范仲用尤加利樹皮創作的樹皮書畫作品
Enlisted in the Military to Defend the Country
After finishing his studies in school, when Mr. Fan was just about to pursue his ideals, the Japanese launched the war against China. Rather than following his dreams, he resolutely signed up for the military, dedicating himself to fight for freedom. He had witnessed the cruelty of war, braved danger on the battleground, suffered wounds during combat, and earned many medals of honor. After waging eight years of war against Japan, the enemy was finally defeated and the Republic of China prevailed triumphantly, writing a glorious page in the history of the nation. As a retired veteran, he was indeed an honored and valiant warrior!
Founded “Songbe” Evergreen Association for Friendship and Fellowship
Mr. Fan settled in Irvine after retirement, yet his all-out giving spirit was not at all diminished as he tirelessly promoted social welfare with tremendous aspirations. Being a trailblazer, he founded the IECSA with good friends. He served in various roles in the club, such as secretary, president, and other positions, successively. He was instrumental in implementing various detailed and challenging internal club affairs, formulating various rules & regulations, recording and organizing meeting minutes, crafting posters, arranging collages, compiling documents, and most importantly, creating poetry! Committed to advocating for art and literature, he spared no effort in organizing members who were passionate to recite and publish their work. Nowadays, the periodicals of “Songbe Corner’’ are created on the basis of the original art and literature group who upheld the last wish of Mr. Fan.
Abundant Joy of Life in His Sunset Years
Although Mr. Fan had dedicated himself to the military for more than 40 years, his artistic talent and creative style were undoubtedly comparable to the masters in art. Not only did he possess unparalleled ingenuity in poetry, but his gifted skills and interests also covered a vast range of disciplines, such as calligraphy, painting, stamp collecting, gardening, and scrapbook-making of letters and photos of his children, just to name a few. He was able to look at life in depth with an eye towards aesthetic insight and poetic interpretation; therefore, he was able to seek and enjoy life in his leisure time. Take tree bark art paintings and calligraphy as examples. Trees are seen everywhere and are easily taken for granted. However, with his uniquely profound perspective, Mr. Fan explained that “the bark of Irvine demonstrates a kind of noble, elegant and beautiful temperament, along with a wealth of practical potential.” Therefore, in line with the philosophy of “cherishing resources of the world and expanding the scope of art”, he enthusiastically researched and produced eucalyptus bark art painting. He held a bark painting/calligraphy exhibition, which became a big sensation in Irvine. Subsequently, he received a congratulatory poem from Mr. Te-Pei Wong: “Highly esteemed elder Chung Fan , Sichuan-born, Innovative in art and literature, surpassing nature; Splendid calligraphy and bark art, offering masterpieces, Praises and acclamations from East and West.” His masterpieces not only allowed the cast-off bark to exert and shine forth its potential, but also proved that Irvine, the city where we live, is more than a beautiful place, its every element embodies the resources of our lives. As long as we continually pursue knowledge and develop our skills, inevitably the joy of life and vitality will follow. (English translation by Gloria Glickley)
(以下文字摘錄自《爾灣華裔紀實1971-2021》一書)
編註：本文由喬紀婉撰文，原載於爾灣松柏會二十週年慶特刊。
值此松柏會成立二十週年之際，使我想起兩年前，在爾灣圖書館偶然看到一本裝訂精緻，設計典雅的詩集，翻翻看，更覺詩文淺顯易懂，又平易近人。遂買下了這本書——《金色歲月》。這是范仲老先生的兒女們將父親的詩作編印成冊，作為老先生八十四華誕之賀禮。范老先生的這部詩集不僅字句排列及韻腳平整，更能在字裡行間感受到詩境之深遠， 趣味之盎然。我和范老先生雖無緣相識，但在詩集中卻看到了他一生的心路歷程。尤其是退休來美定居後，組成爾灣松柏會，走向人群，走向社會，樂觀積極，不斷向歲月挑戰，發揚生命的餘輝。這些對我們都是莫大的鼓舞和鞭策。下面僅就詩集中的片斷略述。
投筆從戎 保家衛國
范老先生當完成學業，正欲邁向人世理想之際， 不幸日本人發動了侵華戰爭，先生遂投筆從戎，獻身抗戰，在戰場上出生入死，英勇奮戰。曾負傷，並獲勳章獎項多件。經過八年的艱苦奮戰，終於擊敗敵人，贏得勝利，為中華民族歷史寫下了光輝燦爛的一 頁。退休後雖已是皓首的老人，卻是抗日救國的參與者與見證人。
創立松柏 聯誼友情
范老先生退休後定居爾灣，仍不減當年的豪情壯志，竭力推動社會公益事業，與友好組成爾灣華人松柏會，並先後擔任秘書、會長等職務。負責推行各項細緻而繁瑣的會務工作，制定各種規章制度，紀錄並整理每次會務報告，書寫海報，剪貼資料，編排文檔，創作詩文。對藝文方面倡導更不遺餘力，組織會員中對藝文愛好者，詩詞唱和，出版刊物。如今《松柏園地》定期刊物，就是在原藝文組基礎上，秉承范老先生的遺願而籌創的。
生趣盎然 黃昏歲月
范老先生雖獻身軍旅生涯四十餘年，但他的藝術才華與創意風格，可與藝術大師相媲美。他不僅詩詞歌賦創新巧奪天工，他的藝術才華和情趣也是多方面: 書法、繪畫、集郵、植養花木、剪貼兒女們的信件和照片等。他能以美的眼光和詩的心情來詮釋生活的真締，在餘暇清閑之時，尋求生活的情趣，就拿樹皮書畫來說：樹皮，本是處處可見，最不為人們看重的東西；但范老先生卻以他獨特的深邃思維和藝術才華詮釋出樹皮的特性。爾灣的樹皮具有一種高潔、典雅、 美麗的氣質，和深厚可用的潛力。因此他本著「為天 地惜物，為藝術開拓領域」的理念，努力研究，制出尤加利皮貼畫，舉行樹皮書畫展，在爾灣一帶掀起不小的風潮。曾獲汪德培老先生賀詩：「巴蜀耆英范仲公，藝文創新奪天工；筆花樹皮獻佳作，東西共賞讚由衷」。這不僅使廢棄的樹皮發揮其更大的可用光輝，同時證明我們所居住的爾灣，不僅是一個風景美麗的地方，而且其一草一物，都是我們生活上的資源，只要我們去尋找，開發，就能增進生活的情趣，充實我們的生活力。