2024 Sacramento State Winter Commencement Program - Flipbook - Page 16
california state university, sacramento
honor ary doctor of laws (lld)
roger g.f. fong
Sacramento County Assessor, Retired, and Five Star Bank Founding Chairman of the Board
Roger Fong was born in 1933 to Chinese immigrant parents Sam
and Yee Yee Fong, who overcame social and legal discrimination to
become successful landowners and farmers. When not attending
American or Chinese school, young Roger labored alongside his
siblings and friends in his family’s fields.
Initially not planning to attend college, he was encouraged by
childhood friend Gordon Fong to follow him to Sacramento City
College to run track. After earning an associate’s degree in business
he transferred to Sacramento State, where he continued competing
in track and also became an award-winning member of the first
boxing team. After graduating in 1956 with a degree in Business
Administration, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he boxed
competitively. After his service, Mr. Fong returned to Sacramento
and launched a career in public service.
After serving as a county social worker, Mr. Fong found his niche as a
real estate appraiser in the County Assessor’s Office. In 1986 he made
history, becoming the nation’s first Asian American elected County
Assessor. Mr. Fong served with distinction before retiring in 1999.
Lauded for modernizing and improving the office, his transformative leadership earned accolades statewide.
Beyond his professional achievements, Mr. Fong devoted himself to strengthening Sacramento’s Chinese and
Asian American communities. He was a founding member of the Chinese American Council of Sacramento,
giving voice to underserved and underrepresented groups. He actively contributed to the Sacramento
Asian Sports Foundation and the Asian Pacific Islander American Association, held board positions with
KVIE, the Sacramento Symphony, St. Hope Academy, and United Way, and was a founding Chairman of Five
Star Bank. He stayed engaged with his alma maters, serving on committees for Sacramento High School
and Sacramento State. Through lasting advocacy and philanthropy, Mr. Fong cemented his legacy as a
community leader and role model.
Mr. Fong and his wife, Florence, were married for 61 years until her passing in June 2023. He is the proud father
of three children - Ryan, Alisa, and Rachelle Fong - and has seven grandchildren. Today, he enjoys spending
time on his 50-acre Clarksburg farm, cultivating organic produce to savor and share with family and friends.
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