In 1975, Captain Gary Dickey USAF, fighter pilot, flew to Guam where he, with the help of his church, located family members of Captain Pho Nguyen, Republic of South Vietnam Navy, and brought them back to Klamath Falls. This mission of mercy continued until Pho, then 41 years old, was guided by “Uncle Gary” to enroll in the Computer Systems Engineering Technology (CSET) department at Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT). From that day on, the unfolding story from that original act of kindness served as a testament to the greatness of America, the state of Oregon and the institution that is OIT.
After graduating from CSET with his brother-in-law, Binh Doan, Pho and family left Klamath Falls for Hayward, CA where he worked at Xerox. Two years later, Binh’s daughter, Hoa graduated with a degree in Dental Hygiene. OIT students in the late 70’s and early 80’s like Professor Calvin Caldwell still recall fondly how these Vietnamese refugees used to own the ping pong table competition in the College Union.
In 1985, 10 years after leaving Vietnam, Captain Pho Nguyen attended a graduation ceremony at the U. S. Naval Academy where he proudly donned an Ensign shoulder board on his son, Phong.
In 1995, 20 years after leaving Vietnam, Pho saw his son leaving the Navy to work along side him in Silicon Valley. After mastering his skills in the computer industry, Phong returned to Klamath Falls where he taught in the CSET department while his wife attended OIT.
In 2005, 30 years after leaving Vietnam, Pho stood in the OIT Track and Field bleachers to watch as President Martha Anne Dow handed his daughter-in-law, Quyen Nguyen, a diploma for a Bachelor of Science in Vascular Ultrasound Technology.
In 2015, 40 years after leaving Vietnam, Captain Pho Nguyen saw both of Phong’s sons, Tee and Bee, attending the U. S. Naval Academy. In that same year, Phong moved to the OIT PM campus.
In 2025, 50 years after leaving Vietnam, Pho listened to the CSET PM Band perform at his home in Hayward, CA. Members of this band included his son, Phong, and daughter-in-law, Quyen, both OIT alumni. Phong became an honorary OIT alumnus in 2022.
50 years ago, Captain Gary Dickey’s faith in Captain Pho Nguyen positively changed the fate of so many Doan’s and Nguyen’s. Today, through the OIT alumni pages, Pho’s story and OIT’s role in it will hopefully serve to inspire his children’s children.
