Gi-Bin Han

It is with sorrow and deep respect that we announce the passing of Gi-Bin Han, who went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. Gi-Bin lived a long and wonderful 90 years and will be remembered as a loving, kind, generous, intelligent and faithful man. He was a cherished husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend and most of all, a steadfast disciple of Jesus Christ. Gi-Bin was preceded in death by his parents, Byung-Hyuk Han and Tae-Im Kim. He is survived by his wife, Heejoo (Nancy) Han, daughter Michelle Han Ward (Doug), son Daniel Y. Han (Anna), and grandchildren Nathan, Luke, Alexandre and Isabelle. Born in Japanese-occupied Korea on July 17, 1933, Gi-Bin was the eldest of five children and the only son of his family. He spent his early childhood in the northern portion of the Korean peninsula, near the border with China. As such, he became trilingual as a boy, speaking Korean at home, Japanese at school, and Mandarin with friends in the neighborhood. After World War II, his family relocated to Seoul, Korea, to flee the communist party’s growing influence in the north. He attended high school during the Korean War, graduating from Kyung-gi High School in 1952. Gi-Bin was musically gifted and played the flute in various marching bands and brass ensembles. He was accepted to the prestigious Seoul National University in 1952 and graduated with an Electrical Engineering degree in 1956. After college, Gi-Bin served in the Korean Air Force as a Lieutenant in the 7th Communications Wing, gaining experience which laid the foundation for his future career. After his military service, Gi-Bin was hired by the United States Information Agency, where he served as a sound engineer, media specialist and senior staff member. It was during this time that Gi-Bin met his future wife, Heejoo, in Seoul. During their courtship, Heejoo received a long-awaited visa to the United States and moved there to study. To be with Heejoo, Gi-Bin applied for a position with the Voice of America in Washington, D.C. The two were geographically separated for a year but maintained their relationship through the frequent exchange of heartfelt love letters. Thankfully, Gi-Bin was eventually granted the position he sought and was hired by the Voice of America as a translator and airshow coordinator. The two were wed in 1968 and made the U.S. their new home, eventually naturalizing as U.S. citizens. They had their first child, Michelle, in 1970, and their second child, Dan, in 1978. After moving to the U.S. in 1968, Gi-Bin spent the remainder of his working years in the Washington, D.C. area. In 1974, he was hired by Amtrak as a Junior Analyst in the Information Technology department. With his trademark work ethic, dependability and attention to detail, Gi-Bin steadily rose through the ranks, ultimately being promoted to Director of Telecommunications Services by 1989 and Director of Telecommunications Operations in 1991. Overseeing a staff of over 200 employees, Gi-Bin excelled in his position. He retired from Amtrak in 2004 after over 30 years of service. More important than his career, Gi-Bin was very active in his church community, serving as a Deacon and Elder at the Korean United Methodist Church of Greater Washington in McLean, VA. His love of God spurred Gi-Bin to devote almost all his free time to the various needs of the church. He served and led virtually every committee at the church over his 30+ years there. Notably, he served as Lay Leader (the highest position for non-pastors in the UMC), and chaired the Church Leader Team Admin Council, the Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee and the Five-Year Planning Committee, among others. In 2008, Gi-Bin and Heejoo retired to Florida and joined the Tampa Korean Methodist Church in Tampa, FL. In retirement, Gi-Bin enjoyed life in Florida, spending time with Heejoo, friends and family. In particular, he loved visits with his four grandchildren and delighted in hosting them. He and Heejoo also picked up golf and greatly enjoyed playing as a couple and with a diverse group of friends. Gi-Bin will be remembered as a quiet, patient and kind man but one of substance, character and great internal strength. He will be greatly missed by all. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at Tampa Korean Methodist Church – 26211 E. County Line Road, Wesley Chapel, FL 33544 at 11:00 am followed by fellowship at the church.

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Gi-Bin Han

July 17, 1933 - June 4, 2024