Passing of Dr. Alfred Kwok

The Southern California climbing community suffered a tragic loss a couple of days ago. Dr. Alfred Kwok, a professor of physics at Pomona College, passed away while on a solo adventure in the Southern Sierras this weekend. The following message, originally posted on Facebook by Dr. Kwok's family, was reposted on the missing climber thread:

"Dear Friends of Alfred Kwok,
It is with great sadness and regret that we must inform you that Alfred Kwok has passed on from this world to our loss. Heaven has required his full attention and presence. We were notified last night that a body had been spotted by the National Park Service rescue helicopter in the vicinity where Alfred was expected to be hiking, but due to impending weather conditions, the body was not able to be recovered until this morning. Park Rangers have positively identified the corpse as belonging to Alfred, and family members are on the way to receive him. From the preliminary autopsy, Alfred suffered a quick death from a fall and did not suffer for long. We know that Alfred touched many people’s lives and will be making arrangements for a memorial service to take place in or around Claremont, CA in the near future. When those arrangements are finalized, we will post the details here on Facebook. In the mean time, we would like to request that people think of one or two favorite memories or photos of Alfred and post them here on this Facebook thread, so that we can all share in the grieving process, but also to celebrate the blessing that Alfred has been in our lives. Enoch Kwok, for the Kwok Family. 1:40PM 9/21/2016"

Dr. Kwok was an inspiration, mentor, partner, and friend to countless members of the Claremont Colleges climbing community. His boundless enthusiasm for climbing and the outdoors in general was infectious. He took it upon himself time and time again to introduce freshman and novices to the wonders of Southern California climbing. Dr. Kwok was my academic advisor freshman year, and he immediately began to nurture my development and growth as a climber. Many of my fellow students were likewise influenced by Dr. Kwok, and we will all mourn the loss of our friend and teacher. The Claremont Colleges climbing community will not be the same without him.

Such a sad loss.I climbed with Alfred and know that this would have been the only way for him wanting to go.My heart is with his family.

I had the pleasure of climbing with Alfred twice. As someone new to climbing there's always a bit of apprehension when you first climb with someone more experienced -- you don't want to "pull them down" to your easy/moderate grades.

Alfred not only laughed out loud when I explained this to him at the end of the day, but he made a point to spend another hour or so with me going through an anchor setup I had questions about.

He didn't have to spend an hour with me -- hell he didn't have to agree to climb with me a second time -- but he did. Little things like that are insights into who people truly are, and though I only met him twice his willingness to go out of the way and do something he didn't have to will stick with me (and be passed forward).

Hi Everyone: I am Alfred's pastor and fellow climbing enthusiast. The family is planning a memorial service on Saturday October 8 in Claremont. More details will be forthcoming. I know the family would love to have as many of you attend as possible.

Hi friends: Alfred's pastor here again. A memorial service has been planed for Alfred on Saturday, October 8 at 3 PM. The service will be held at Little Bridges Auditorium at Pomona College in Claremont. The address is 150 E 4th St, Claremont, CA 91711. Alfred's family would like to invite any of his climbing friends to attend.

Tim I'll be there looking forward to meeting you and talking about Alfred.....Wish I could of met you under different circumstances..

Jeff

And you as well Jeff. Alfred talked highly about your times together. I'll see you on the 8th.

Very sad news.
RIP Alfred.

I climbed, camped and enjoyed some time with Alfred on several occasions. Great person, big heart, kind soul. I remember him and his bagels. He always spoke highly of his students. Loved climbing. Will be missed.

Chad

tpeckdmin wrote:Hi friends: Alfred's pastor here again. A memorial service has been planed for Alfred on Saturday, October 8 at 3 PM. The service will be held at Little Bridges Auditorium at Pomona College in Claremont. The address is 150 E 4th St, Claremont, CA 91711. Alfred's family would like to invite any of his climbing friends to attend.

Here is video of Alfred's memorial service yesterday: ustream.tv/recorded/92066029