Young-Bok Kim

Dr. Young Bok Kim, 92, passed away on February 14, 2025, at his home in Wayne, New Jersey where he’s lived since 1978.  Born on June 27, 1932, in Taegu, South Korea.  Young was a selfless and generous man throughout his life.  He always put the needs of others ahead of his own, which is the definition of “love.”   At work, Dr. Kim was the epitome of the patient’s doctor who cared for each patient as if they were family.  He was beloved by hospital staff and colleagues alike.

         Young was the son of Jae Gyun Kim (M) born 1905,  and So Nam Go (F) born 1908, and brother to seven siblings.  Young Hee Kim (F) born 1928, Young Tae Kim (M) born 1935, Young Eh Kim (F) born 1938, Soon Ja Kim (F) born 1940, Young Boo Kim (M) born 1943, Soon Hee Kim (F) born 1947, and Kwang Duck Kim (M) born 1950.  Young was raised in Taegu, South Korea and in June 1950 with the breakout of the Korean War, he was drafted as an Infantry soldier at the age of 18.  After the war ended,  Young attended Kyungpook National University School of Medicine and graduated in March 1957 with his medical degree as a board-certified physician.  From June 1957 to February 1964, he served 7 years as an intern, resident, and orthopedist in training at various military hospitals from Seoul to Hawaii.  Upon his discharge from military service as an Army Major in 1964, he moved back to his hometown and served as the Orthopedic resident at the Presbyterian General Hospital in Taegu, South Korea from April 1964 to November 1966.  From 1967 to 1972,  he relocated the family to West Malaysia serving in the Ministry of Health as the Chief of Orthopedics in the City of Johor Bahru General hospital.   In 1973,  he relocated the family to Union City, New Jersey and began his medical career in the United States of America at St. Mary’s hospital in Hoboken, New Jersey.  In 1976,  he relocated the family to Wayne, New Jersey and served as the House Physician at Wayne General Hospital from 1976 to 2015 (39 years).  At the age of 83,  Young retired as a medical doctor.

         Young was always active in his community and served as an Elder for Bethany Church.  He volunteered his time on weekends at the Wayne General Hospital clinic in Paterson, New Jersey serving low to moderate income families seeking medical services and assistance.  He also volunteered his time with the local Wayne township school district as the school  physician for medical screening and consultation for junior high and high school students.  

         Young married Ki Chung Chang of Taegu, South Korea in 1961.  Ki (Kay) was born in 1936 and passed in 2011.  He is survived by his two sons, John Chan-Kyu Kim of Cliffside Park, New Jersey; son James Chan-Ho Kim (Mary) of Aledo, Texas; grandchildren, Amanda, James Jr, Andrew, and Daniel Kim; great grandchildren, Kobe Rose (3) and Kaiya James Kim (1).

Contributions can be made to the Bethany Church, 491 Alps Road, Wayne, NJ 07470 in care of Young Bok Kim.