La Doan, judge in Vietnam who escaped Communist regime, dies at 82

La Doan, a Mahwah resident who was a judge in Vietnam before spending six years in a Communist jail, died on December 20.  He was 82.

Doan had refused a flee after the fall of Saigon in 1975 at the invitation of the U.S. Embassy because he could not get in touch with his wife and two young children.  The decision to go back home to his family landed him into Communist jail for 6 years.

“Those 6 long years robbed him of the vitality of his health, his spirit and precious time that he could have spent with his then 2 toddlers,” his family said in an obituary.  “After being released from Communist jail, for the 2nd time, he had to make the decision to escape from his home and country seeking a better life for his family.  After many attempts, he finally succeeded and re-settled in New York City in 1982.”

Limited ability to speak English forced Doan to take menial jobs – sometimes two at a time — to support his family.  He did not fully reunite with his family until 1990.

He eventually secured a job with the U.S. Postal Service but retired in 2007 after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Born in North Vietnam in 1939, Doan and his brother left their family “at a young age, in order to escape from Vietnamese Communist to search for a better life.”  He was a graduate of Saigon University School of Law.

Doan is survived by his wife of 50 years, Dong Thi Le, his two daughters and two grandchildren.

“Although La Doan did not live an easy life, his main purpose was to provide his family with the best possible life and his love was full and constant,” his family said.  “He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.”