Obituary of Nghia Trong Tran

"Dec 9, 2020 officially closed the last page of the Book of Life for Colonel Tran Trong Nghia. To others who had interacted with him throughout the years, he was the most intelligent and fascinating gentleman. A man with strong conviction and resilience who lived for the NOW: Right Here, Right Now. Yet, for his close family and friends, he was the most misunderstood person. In the last few weeks of his life, he stated that he had lived more than 100 years. Spending 13 years in the Reeducation Camp-Ha Nam Ninh, Vietnam had doubled his life span and adding to he age of 88, he had already lived longer than he could imagine. He often said that he had lived his life fully with little regrets. He had to do what needed to be done and most importantly, he did it his way. He was a philosopher, an educator but also a student who loved to learn. To the last days of his life, he was still learning new topics on the internet. A very self-disciplined person, he led a quiet life in the last few years of his life. He wrote in his journal on Oct 22 2016: "Compassion & Forgiveness. Peace of mind exists always with you here and right now. Peace of mind is the best medicine for good health. It brings more balance to the physical life." "My Way" was his favorite song that he and I often shared together on our little road trips. Now that he had gone to the other world, I finally understood why he loved this song so much. The song lyrics truly captured my dad's life as if it was written specifically for him. Dad: Although your book is now closed, for me it is only the beginning of a new book full of discovery that I need to write for and bout you. I treasured the time we had together in the last few years. Rest in Peace. With love and respect, Anhdao."