Hui Han Kim, born in South Korea in 1949, was a strong-willed and principled man whose life was defined by perseverance, sacrifice, and devotion to his family.

He lost his father shortly after he was born and grew up during the difficult years surrounding the Korean War. At just five years old, he and his older sister took to the streets selling small items to help put food on the table. Those early experiences shaped him into a resilient, independent, and hardworking man determined to build a better life.

His strength and discipline were evident during his military service, where he distinguished himself as a decorated drill sergeant and earned the respect of those he trained and served alongside. It was also during his mandatory military service that he had some of his first opportunities to pursue activities simply for himself. He loved soccer and Tae Kwon Do, which gave him moments of enjoyment in a life that, from an early age, had been defined by responsibility. The sense of duty he developed during those years stayed with him throughout his life.

In 1982, he immigrated to the United States with a singular purpose: to give his children opportunities he himself never had. He wanted them to receive an education, experience more of the world, and build lives beyond the hardships he had known.

He owned and operated a small grocery store in downtown Harrisburg, where he faced the challenges of being an immigrant, including racism, a language barrier, and being robbed at gunpoint multiple times. Through it all, he kept moving forward, working hard and providing for his family.

He was proud, private, and deeply principled. He could also be strict, stubborn, and demanding, particularly with his children. His expectations came from a desire to protect them and to make certain they took full advantage of the opportunities he had worked so hard to provide.

He was not a man who often said, “I love you.” Instead, he showed it.

He showed it through long hours of work, through his concern for his children, and through the countless things he did with his own two hands. Whether something needed to be repaired, built, or simply figured out, he found a way. There was often no one to teach him. He simply learned what he needed to know and did what needed to be done. That was who he was: resourceful, determined, and unwilling to give up.

He is survived by his sister, Kum Ok Cordavari, and her husband, David Cordavari; his daughter, Hyun Kyong Kim, and her husband, Ra Il Lee; his son, Jun Ho Kim, and his wife, Jeeun Kim; and his four grandchildren, Kyla, Zachariah, Kairos, and Zander. They will carry forward his memory, his strength, and the lessons he taught them.

His children may not have heard him say “I love you” often, but they never had to wonder whether he did. They saw it in the life he built for them.

He came to America so his children could have more than he did. That is his legacy: a life shaped by perseverance, a family strengthened by love, and opportunities passed from one generation to the next.

He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

A graveside service will be held Friday, August 28, 2026 at 2:00 PM in the Rolling Green Cemetery, 1811 Carlisle Rd., Camp Hill, PA 17011.