June 24, 1934 – January 12, 2023
The beloved longtime faculty member Ben Lau passed away in Loma Linda
January 12, 2023, at the age of 88.
Dr. Lau was born on June 24, 1934, in Fukien, China, the youngest of ten children. He excelled in school from an early age, often tutoring his classmates. The family moved to Hong Kong, where he finished high school. Later, he joined his sister Beth in California, obtaining his undergraduate education at the University of California at Berkeley. There he met and married fellow student Esther Wang.
The Laus then moved to Kentucky, where he completed his MS and PhD in microbiology and immunology at the University of Kentucky. In 1967, he became director of the microbiology laboratory at Hinsdale Sanitarium and Hospital. In 1969 Dr. Lau joined the faculty in the department of microbiology at Loma Linda University, where he distinguished himself in the classroom and in research for 34 years.
While maintaining his faculty position part-time, Dr. Lau completed medical school in 1980-A. After returning to full time teaching, he practiced lifestyle medicine with his wife, Esther, a dietitian. He credited his medical training with helping highlight the most pertinent information in his lectures.
Each year Dr. Lau memorized the names of his students from their photos, but it was the clarity of his lectures, the four-page handouts and his humorous anecdotes that made him a favorite teacher for decades, receiving a Teacher of the Year Award in twelve years. Loma Linda University awarded him the Distinguished Service Award in 1999.
Dr. Lau was dedicated to his goal that all his students pass medical microbiology and national boards and generously offered individual tutoring to assist students. Multiple students would often be seen waiting outside his office for personalized help. Michael B. Ing ’90 remembers Dr. Lau was not just one of his class’s favorite teachers but also responsible for their high board scores in microbiology.
His research focused on immune therapy for bladder cancers and assessing the mechanisms of the antipathogenic properties of garlic and Chinese herbal extracts. He published 102 research articles and mentored 21 graduate students, including 7 PhD students, in his long career.
Dr. Lau is survived by his wife of 62 years, Esther, children Daniel (Kyle), Shari (Ken), and three grandchildren. To honor the memory of Dr. Lau you may contribute to the Benjamin Lau Endowment Fund through Loma Linda University office of philanthropy.
— By Barry L. Taylor PhD-FAC & Nerida R. Taylor Bates ’94