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Wen Tanubrata, 93

by | May 1, 2020 | News, Obituaries

OB Wen Tanubrata HI 5-20-20

Eugene (Wen) Tanubrata (Tan Kai Jan) departed this world the morning of April 30, in his 93rd year. Wen’s amazing life spanned many generations and continents. He was born March 26, 1927, in Cirebon, Indonesia, to Tan Gin Han and Nelly De Vos, the second youngest of eight siblings and two half-siblings. He married the love of his life, Weilien Huang (Oey Hwei Lian), on Sept. 7, 1948. With their family, he immigrated from Indonesia to Yunnan, China, then to Hong Kong, and finally to the United States as his children attended college.

Wen had an adventurous and entrepreneurial spirit. He was fluent in at least four languages (Dutch, Chinese, Indonesian, English) and multiple dialects. Wen held many trades in order to provide for his family and communities, among them engineer, car mechanic, distributor, store owner, restaurateur and caregiver to a bevy of grandchildren. He was an avid practitioner of martial arts (kung fu and tai chi) and taught volunteer classes at community and senior centers. His musical talent was innate — playing multiple instruments, learning music by ear and bringing joy across the world to family and friends. He loved to play chess with his family and friends and regularly schooled friends half his age. In all these endeavors he was self-taught and displayed a keen intellect and curiosity his entire life.

Wen is predeceased by his wife, Weilien (Oma), and all his siblings. He is survived by his four children, Julia Tanubrata Tate, Leina Tanubrata Mahylis, William Hin Tanubrata and Chandra Tanubrata, and their respective spouses. Opa also is survived by a legacy of grandchildren: Jennifer, Jocelyn, Alexander, Tiffany, Brian, Albert, Helen, Alison, and Robert; and great-grandchildren: James, Elliott, Julianne, and Peter; as well as numerous loving relatives near and far.

A private viewing and virtual memorial service will be held on May 2 at Callanan Cronin Funeral Home in Hopkinton.

To see more Hopkinton Independent obituaries, click here.

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