Dr. Alfred Tan Catholic Education Fund

The endowed Dr. Alfred Tan Catholic Education Fund is to honor Alfred William Thomas Tan, MD (Feb 15, 1936 – July 23, 2024). Dr. Tan was born in Jakarta, Indonesia, and is known for his faithful service as a physician in Borneo, and later, Levelland Texas. During World War II, he was home-schooled by his mother and older brother. After the war, he graduated from a Dutch high school at the age of 14 and received his medical degree in 1959 from University of Indonesia Medical School in Jakarta. After, Dr. Tan faithfully served the underprivileged population of Central Borneo for 15 years as an appointed public health official, and later the provincial health director. Dr. Tan’s memoir describes the years providing medical care to the indigenous population, and later, developing the fledgling health infrastructure of Central Borneo. During this time, he established close relationships with President Soekarno, the first president of Indonesia; the Governor of Palangka Raya; and the local Catholic Bishop, to whom he extended generous support toward a local Catholic hospital.

Dr. Tan was especially devoted to serving the Dayak people, the indigenous population of Borneo, and was honored for his dedication and assistance to their rural communities. Many times, Dr. Tan found himself working in harsh jungle conditions with limited supplies and equipment, often acting as the sole physician of the area. His reputation for kindness and generosity endured for decades - so much so that his name and recognition as one of the most sociable and respected men in Borneo are remembered by many through generations.
Dr. Tan has always maintained his fascination with the world’s many curiosities—whether through travelling to every continent besides Antarctica or immigrating to the United States. Consequently, Dr. Tan became known to many as a world traveler. After gaining US citizenship, Dr. Tan served the community of Levelland Texas for 34 years until his retirement in 2013.

Dr. Tan was quite passionate about his faith, and his family remembers him as a fervent traditional Roman Catholic. Accordingly, Dr. Tan frequently gave to many charities, and spent his life embodying Christian values of faith, hope, and philanthropy. Indeed, Dr. Tan’s legacy of giving, serving, and learning has not only carried him through his professional life as a medical physician, but also his personal life. Through this endowed educational fund, scholarships can be provided for students enrolled in Christ the King Diocesan Schools, upholding the same values that inspired Dr. Alfred Tan throughout his life.

In planning his legacy of generosity, Dr. Tan named the Catholic Foundation of the South Plains as the beneficiary of a certificate deposit payable upon his death.  If you would like to explore how you can create a lasting impact in this way, please contact Jane Piercy at [email protected].