Daniel Kwa, M.D.
February 28, 1942 - January 5, 2026
Daniel Kwa, M.D., known lovingly as “Oom Daan,” passed away on Monday, January 5, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of brilliance, generosity, humor, and deep devotion to family.
Born on February 28, 1942, he was the youngest of four sons, growing up in Indonesia during its time as a Dutch colony. Born to Dutch-educated Chinese-Indonesian parents, Daniel attended a Dutch school, an opportunity that shaped his early academic excellence.
He graduated from the University of Airlangga Faculty of Medicine in 1967, beginning a lifelong journey in medicine that would take him across continents. In 1970, Daniel immigrated to the United States with his brother Francis and Francis’s family, sharing an apartment in East Orange, New Jersey, as they built their new lives in what they lovingly called the land of opportunity.
Daniel completed his postgraduate training with extraordinary distinction, including: internship at Rutgers Health (1970–1971); residency in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center (1971–1973); residency in Pathology at Henry Ford Hospital (1973–1975); and fellowship in Hematology and Medical Oncology at Henry Ford Hospital (1975–1976). He went on to become the first minority physician to work at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, breaking barriers with quiet confidence and excellence.
Daniel’s intellect was legendary within the family. His brother often said that Daan was the smartest among them. This brilliance was recognized nationally when Daniel received a gold medal for Pathology Research in Cancer, a rare honor awarded only once per year across the entire United States.
In 1979, Daniel married Su Yung, and together they built a life filled with love, laughter, and deep companionship. They lived in Cherry Hill, Haddonfield, and Voorhees, New Jersey, before eventually settling in Delaware.
A proud Catholic, Daniel was a devoted 4th-degree Knight of Columbus, living out his faith through service, humility, and kindness.
Beyond medicine, Daniel had many passions. As a young man in Indonesia, he loved birding and famously raised parakeets and canaries from eggs to adulthood. His family fondly remembers the hundreds of birds housed in large cages lining three walls of his childhood home’s backyard in Surabaya. In addition to birding, he also loved keeping fish. Behind the house were many stone fish tanks, where countless fish thrived and multiplied under his attention. He also found great joy in gardening—and even enjoyed eating mangos from trees he nurtured himself, sometimes with rice, a simple pleasure that reflected his free spirit.
Those who knew him remember his infectious laugh, sharp wit, and incredible generosity. He was kind, endlessly curious, and “super smart.” It was all part of the charm of a man who lived fully and authentically.
Daniel Kwa, M.D., will be remembered not only for his extraordinary achievements, but for the warmth of his spirit, the depth of his love, and the joy he brought to everyone around him.
He will be deeply missed and forever cherished. He is survived by his wife, Su Yung Kwa and his eldest brother, Francis Kwa.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 9:30 am until 10:30 am on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at St. Joseph Parish, 319 East Main Street, Middletown, DE, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 am. Prayers of Commendation and interment will begin at 10 am on Saturday, February 7, 2026, in Assumption Catholic Cemetery & Funeral Home, 6933 Tomken Road, Mississauga, ON.
Norma and Paul Kessler
He was a wonderful, remarkable man. He will be greatly missed. Sending our deepest sympathy, and prayers.
Yvonne Kwa
Beste SuYung, beste Frans
Mijn oprechte condoleances voor t overlijden van Daan. Wat een geweldig leven had Daan met zoveel kennis ook zijn medemensen goed gedaan.
Gelukkig heeft hij ook zijn terecht verdiende onderscheidingen gekregen
Hoop dat hij zelf ook veel heeft mogen genieten. Helaas woonde ik steeds te ver weg om hem persoonlijk mee te kunnen maken. Ben reuze blij met bovenstaand bericht, waardoor ik zoveel meer kwam te weten over Daan, wat een prachtig mens was hij.
SU Yung en Frans
In gedachten bij jullie
Met veel liefs en sterkte voor de komende tijd bij t rouwen om dit grote verlies van partner en broer.
Yvon en familie in Nederland
Edwin Ignasius Kwa
Our deepest condolences from Edwin Ignasius Kwa & Family (Surabaya – Indonesia).
Rina and Bing
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Oom Daan, whom we admired and loved. His kindness, wisdom, and warmth touched the lives of many. May he rest in peace.
Tante Su Yung, Oom Frans, we are sending you love, prayers, strength, and support.
Rina & Bing
Wies
Rest in peace, Daan.
My deepest condolences to Su Yung and Frans.
I pray that our Lord gives Daan the best place beside Him.
From Wies in Surabaya
Him Gan and Kiem Bwee Kwee
We have known Daniel for more than 50 years. He was a very good student at Airlangga School of Medicine. In Indonesia he worked as a doctor in Lengkong, East Java, for 3 years. The people of Lengkong loved him and when he told them that he would be leaving them, many people cried and Daniel cried too. His career in the USA was exceptional and his activities for his church and community were exemplary. Daniel was a devout Catholic and his faith was strong. We miss him dearly. May he Rest In Peace with The Lord. We pray that God will give comfort and strength to Su Yung and Francis. Him Gan and Bwee.
Michael (Ming) Rusli
Daniel was a friend to me. I visited him and Suyung (my cousin) in their Cherry Hill NJ house many times in the early 1980s when I was courting my wife Ann who lived nearby. I always enjoyed his company, his sense of humor and his infectious laughter. Later when he was working at Shore Memorial Hospital and Suyung was away in Toronto caring for her parents, we would have him over for dinner during our annual family beach vacations in Ocean City NJ. He was especially respectful towards Ann’s parents during these get togethers. He was humble and did not talk much about himself. I only found out about his birding and fish hobbies in the obit. He had a successful career as a hematopathologist and generally kept a low profile as a private person with deep religious conviction. My deepest sympathy to Suyung and Daniel’s surviving family members.
Sally and Hendrix Go
We were truly blessed to have met Opa Daan in 2023. Even though our time together was brief, the impression we received of his kindness and warmth will never be forgotten.
Our prayers and deepest sympathies go out to Oma Suyung, Opa Frans, and the entire family during this difficult time.
Hendrix, Sally, and Isabelle Go (Surabaya)
Wen Atmadja
We’ll miss Dan’s smiles, laughter’s & wonderful sense of humor. All the wonderful memories will forever be in our hearts & minds, while Heaven is welcoming him with open arms Our condolences to Su Yung & rest of the family.
Ross Mongiardo
Danny was a very gracious and kind man. All of our interactions left me smiling. What a great laugh !
RIP Danny and God Bless.
Susan Paine
Su and family, I was so very sorry to hear the news of Dr. Kwa’s passing. He was a great man! We all loved him and loved working with him! Sending all my love and prayers for peace and comfort during this sad time. Sue Paine
Sally A Vollrath
He was a wonderful person. He will be greatly missed. My condolences to his family
Elaine (Penny) Rieu
Dr. Kwa had a laugh that would make anyone laugh along with him. He was so much fun to talk with and to be around. He was sooo intelligent. I will always remember his office with the beautiful orchids in the window. Rest in peace Dear Man.
Robert J Beach M.D.
Danny was a fine physician, teacher, and man. Learned from him during my training and worked with him as a colleague in our practice.
Carroll Wagner
He was the kindest of men. A wonderful, caring doctor, he was always willing to share his knowledge to help improve those he worked with. My sympathies to his family and friends.
Lynn O’Brien
Dr Kwa was such a wonderful person to work with, always patient and loved to share his knowledge. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Sandy and Fred Vineyard
Oh Su, we are so saddened to hear this! What a wonderful man, doctor, mentor, and friend! Everyone he came in contact with was better off for it. The world will miss him. We will always remember his infectious wit, wisdom, intellect, and laugh. We will always speak of him with a smile. God Bless him forever, and may He wrap His loving arms around you and grant you peace!
Kenneth Blankenbuehler
The Rev John T. Sheehan Assembly Knights of Columbus mourns the loss of an exemplary Sir Knight Daniel Kwa whose service to his community and the Knights of Columbus will be remembered. May God bless his family, friends and professional colleagues.
Melanie (Mille) Löcsei, nee Kwa
Daan was my favourite cousin and the news of his passing came as a painful shock to me.. I remember the day I “ontgroende” him on his first day at Airlangga University. We then forged parallel medical careers on different sides of the globe. I also admire him for having studied Mandarin for over 20 years in his previous free time.. My deepest condolences to Frans his older brother and his family, and to Su Yung, his wife. I shall treasure Daan’s memory as a very kind and gentle person, Mil.