Stan Lou passed away in Arlington, Virginia on September 11, 2026. He was born March 19, 1939 in Greenville, Mississippi to immigrant parents from China. He attended Greenville High School and went on to study at the University of Michigan, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1961. Stan spent his entire long and successful professional career with the Federal Aviation Administration as an airport planner. In 1963 he married Sue Lee Joe and they settled in Houston, Texas where they raised three children, Erik, Kerin, and Deana. Eventually his work with the FAA took him to the Washington, DC area where he retired in 2003.

Stan was a dedicated fan of sports and always kept tabs on his Michigan teams. He was an avid runner and ran countless marathons throughout his life. He enjoyed traveling and exploring new places, including a vast range of the US states, Mexico, Canada, Cuba, Europe, and China. A faithful Christian, Stan devoted his life to service in the Presbyterian Church.

In Washington, Stan was deeply involved with OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates where he previously served as President and VP of Community Outreach for the Greater Washington DC Chapter and as VP for Education and Culture on the OCA National Board. He continued to serve the DC chapter as a member of its Senior Advisory Board, and remained a generous supporter of OCA, including opening his home to OCA National summer interns during their time in DC. He shared his time and expertise in community events throughout the Washington DC area and mentored generations of future leaders in the AANHPI communities. Stan also worked with DC Chinatown organizations to organize parts of the annual Lunar New Year Parade in Chinatown and to highlight the Mid-Autumn Festival and Qing Ming as times for national celebration and observance.

Stan was committed to making sure that Asian American stories were remembered, preserved, and heard. As a founding member of the 1882 Foundation, he helped build an organization dedicated to uncovering, understanding, and sharing Chinese American histories that might otherwise have been overlooked. This included the Chinatown Talk Story series, which Stan helped lead as Director for more than a decade beginning in 2012. The series welcomed everyone from local community members to nationally recognized authors, filmmakers, historians, and researchers who shared personal experiences of immigration, identity, and life as Chinese Americans. The Foundation’s summer internship program welcomed students from colleges and universities around the country.

Stan is preceded in death by his parents, Frank S. Lou and Sue Moy Lou; sister Betty Lou; brothers Peter and Henry Lou; and wife Sue Joe Lou. He is survived by brother Raymond Lou of Seattle, Washington; son Erik Lou and his wife Ann of San Carlos, California; daughters Kerin Lou of Oakland, California and Deana Lou of Los Angeles, California; and grandchildren Gabby and Jason.

A memorial service for Stan is planned for Saturday, November 7, 11:00 am at Church of the Pilgrims, 2201 P St NW, Washington, DC 20037.

The family is grateful to all of his friends and loved ones for your kind words. We know that Stan touched many lives and was loved by many. We appreciate any remembrances of Stan that you wish to add. In lieu of flowers or gifts, we would prefer donations to be made in his memory to the OCA, 1882 Foundation, or Church of the Pilgrims.

With love,

Erik, Kerin and Deana Lou