Eight Bells: Peter Tong

Peter Pun Tong passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Wednesday July 9, 2025, in Bellingham, Washington, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy of love, leadership, and laughter.

Born in Chung King, China in 1941, Peter’s early life in Shanghai was one of privilege focused on many interests, mainly frustrating the nuns in elementary school and playing basketball in high school.

After an injury ended his basketball opportunities, his mother arranged for his sponsored entry to the United States and Kansas State University. He earned a degree in electrical engineering from Kansas State, where he met his future wife, Janet. Theirs became a 59-year marriage filled with adventure, family, and purpose.

Peter went on to earn a graduate degree at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where his love for engineering, sailing, and community took root. After an early career at IBM, Peter co-founded T&T Technology, an engineering firm that launched his path as a pioneering entrepreneur and executive in the medical device industry.

Peter went on to build six more companies and became an active private equity investor in medical and tech ventures.

In 1994, the UW Madison college of engineering honored Peter with its distinguished service award. He funded the Tong Prototype Prize, Distinguished Lecture Series, Biomedical Design Award, and the Tong Student Auditorium. In 2000, he received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the University.

Peter cherished his time in the Wisconsin Hoofer Sailing Club and the Tong Family Foundation funded a new Marina and the Memorial Union lakefront. He served on the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation Board of Trustees from 2004-23, and as Board Chair from 2014-18.

While his love of sailing started on a homemade boat on a reservoir at Kansas State, sailboat racing became a major part of Peter’s life for over 50 years. Like many things in Peter’s life, he started off small sailing dinghies on Lake Mendota with the UW Hoofers Club, then larger boats out of Michigan and Florida and culminated in 70-foot sailboats in Southern California, where Peter and Janet relocated their family in 1979.

Starting in 1989, Peter owned three legendary sled class boats, Blondie, Orient Express, and OEX, which Peter and his crew sailed in countless regattas, distance races to Mexico and multiple Transpac (Los Angeles to Hawaii) races.

From sailing, Peter and Janet started cruising on their own powerboats in Mexico and then falling in love with the San Juan Islands, Vancouver Island and cruising the Inland Passage in Canada and Alaska. They moved full time to San Juan Island in 2000.

Peter’s family and friends spent many fun summers playing bocce ball at the Tong’s house on Pearl Island or Hearts on their powerboat Orient Express cruising the pristine waters in the Pacific Northwest.

Beyond sailing, Peter and Janet had an affinity for travel. Peter returned to China with a State of Wisconsin trade delegation in 1980 where he was reunited with his father and returned to the far East multiple times.

Peter’s business frequently took him around the world which meant family summer trips on accrued miles. In later life, Peter and Janet never let moss grow under their feet, traveling far and wide to as much of the world as possible.

A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Peter led with quiet wisdom, humility, and great humor. He and Janet reared four children—Sarah, Jennifer, Jessica, and David—whose lives reflect the strength of their example.

Whether driving an 18-wheeler hauling a 38-foot sailboat from Wisconsin to California, sailing offshore with friends, or launching backyard potato cannons with his grandchildren, he embraced every moment with joyful intensity.

Peter lived the quintessential American dream: he came to the United States with almost nothing except his grit, intelligence, and determination, and built an admirable life as a husband, father, grandfather, and successful entrepreneur.

He is survived by Janet, his children, Sarah (John) Sangmeister, Jennifer Tong (Chris Carlisle), Jessica (Scott) Baron, David (Marjorie) Tong, and nine grandchildren. His legacy lives on in all who had the honor to know and love him.

To honor Peter, consider submitting a donation to the following:
• San Juan Island EMT Association
• University of Wisconsin Hoofers Club
• Rubber Duck fund for Sea Scouts Long Beach