Memoriam
Wayman Siu (Nov. 16, 1935 – Oct. 17, 2011)
Wayman Siu was born in San Francisco, California. He was the youngest of five children. His family eventually moved to Oakland, CA, where he would go on to spend the remainder of his life.
Wayman attended Jean Parker Elementary School in San Francisco, Lincoln Elementary in Oakland, Oakland High School and the University of California Berkeley. After two years at Berkeley, he served a term in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Ord and Fort Baker. He then returned to Berkeley and attained his degree in Public Health. Wayman’s first job was with the East Bay Municipal Utilities District, and then he proceeded to spend the next 29 years at the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. He retired in 1992.
Wayman was diagnosed with Myelofibrosis in 2004. He was a good patient, watched his diet, and kept active. He continued to travel with his family and friends, care for his grandchildren, and simply enjoy life. He was initially happy to surpass the five year threshold, but once he saw how much life still had to offer him, Wayman kept pushing forward. His health began to significantly deteriorate about eight months before his death. But while he experienced a rapid decline in his energy and physical strength, his mind, spirit, and true character lived on.
Wayman is survived by his wife of 52 years, Marianne, his daughter Catherine (husband Lee), and three sons, Perry, Robert, and Lawrence (wife Kitty). He has seven grandchildren whom he adored, Andrew, Jessalyn, Ryan, Russell, John, Elena, and Madeline. To make a donation to Myelofibrosis research in his honor please click here.
Contributed by Jennifer Acker
These represent first person accounts of real people living with Essential Thrombocythemia, Polycythemia Vera and Myelofibrosis. It does not represent the views or opinions of anyone associated with the MPN Research Foundation. Please consult your doctor before taking any action to manage your health.