Atherton tsunami victim memorialized Atherton tsunami victim memorialized (January 19, 2005)

James H. Hsu, an Atherton resident and a student at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, who has been missing since the Southeast Asian tsunami struck on December 26, is now presumed dead by his family.

Mr. Hsu had been vacationing in Thailand when the tsunami occurred.

Mr. Hsu was memorialized at a January 6 service for tsunami victims held at the Stanford Chapel.

His family released the following statement: "After traveling to Thailand to search for James, it is clear to us that he has passed away. He was outgoing and introspective, athletic and intelligent, bold and sensitive. We are comforted by the wonderful memories that he left us and the hundreds if not thousands of lives that he touched.

"We have been told over and over again that he had a great gift for business, a gift for sports, a gift for so many things, but to us James was a gift, our greatest gift. And for that we consider ourselves very lucky.

"As we mourn him, it is vital to consider the scope of the tragedy that took him from us. Our hearts and prayers are with the families and friends throughout the world who have lost loved ones in the tsunami.

"We hope that James' life will spur all of us to take action and contribute to the effort to help those who have survived, not just in the immediate aftermath, but also throughout the long, long road to recovery."

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