Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 10, 1994 TAG: 9403100156
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By NANCY BELLSTAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Pictures of Fu with actors Gregory Peck, Dudley Moore, Bill Murray and rock star Alice Cooper are on a table by the front door. They are souvenirs from small roles she has had in movies.
Displayed in a place of honor on Fu's dining room wall are two keys to the City of Roanoke. One is for Citizen of the Year 1994; the other for Capital of Blue Ridge Ambassador, 1992.
``I have two keys, but they haven't opened anything yet,'' Fu said.
A self-proclaimed walking chamber of commerce, Fu can be seen downtown dressed as a lady-in-waiting, passing out flyers for performances at Mill Mountain Theater. She has been known to take people off the street on tours of the First Union Tower for a view of the city - or to other points of interest.
Her list of affiliations and accomplishments reads like Who's Who.
Fu has appeared on the PBS program ``Now and Then.'' She writes magazine and newspaper articles on Chinese history and cuisine; is a regular guest on WFIR radio; gives lectures; visits school children; and organizes multicultural social events.
``I had to quit my job for volunteer work,'' says Fu, who once served as concierge at Holiday Inn, Tanglewood. It's hard to find a resident of Roanoke who hasn't heard her name in association with an event that promotes Roanoke.
As Capital of the Blue Ridge Ambassador, Fu used her promotional talents on behalf of the Roanoke Visitor's and Convention Bureau.
``I kept waiting for them to give me something to do,'' Fu says, ``and finally I went about doing what I always do.''
As Citizen of the Year, her duties are no more defined. The award is made by the mayor and city council and is based on nominations from the community. And even though she is involved in many organizations, Fu said the award was ``a complete surprise.''
Fu came to the United States as a college student, studying voice and music. Until her marriage, just after college, she performed at resorts and clubs.
``In China, I am famous for my family,'' says Fu. She is often called upon to autograph souvenir posters of the First Union Tower for Chinese visitors.
Her grandfather was governor of Yunnan, Fu's hometown, near Burma in southwest China. In historical photographs, he often appears, in military uniform, next to Chinese ruler Chiang Kai Shek. Fu is in several group pictures taken at the palace.
``I think I inherited [grandfather's] thoughts,'' says Fu, pointing out photographs of her family in Chinese history books.
``He was good to the common people, caring - very different from other statesmen. Our home was always full of people.''
But Pearl Fu did not allow her heritage to follow her to America. The Fu's three daughters never knew details of their mother's royal upbringing until they were met at the Yunnan airport last year by several branches of the Chinese government. It was the family's first visit to Fu's birthplace.
Fu's family name is Dragon, revered in China because of its historical significance. Pearl, meaning ``caring wisdom,'' was chosen by her grandfather. Fu is a little less specific about her birth date.
``I was born during the Dragon Boat Festival, some time ago,'' she says with a grin.
Fu moved to Roanoke seven years ago when her husband, Chueng Cheng Fu, a research scientist at Ingersoll-Rand Co., was transferred from New Jersey. Since then, she is credited with ``bringing out'' Roanoke's small Chinese community.
She helps the members of the community start businesses - find attorneys, locate bankers and find customers. Fu also is the glue that holds the group together socially. That sometimes means playing matchmaker.
``[Chinese immigrants] look at me suspiciously at first, but I tell them I am here to help.''
In contrast to the quiet, private life her husband prefers, Fu says, ``My life is so hectic. I thrive on the energy.''
Fu 's dream is that Yunnan, a city with eight times the population of Roanoke, can pair with Virginia as a Sister State. Even though Yunnan already is coupled with Denver, Colo., she refuses to give up.
Fu's daughter Colette teaches English and business at a Yunnan university, sharing news of the homeland with Fu and treating her students with details of life in Virginia.
Comparing what Colette is doing in Yunnan, Fu said, ``She feels like a pioneer ... She is doing there what I do here.''
If Pearl Fu gets her way, daughter Wendy will make a documentary about Yunnan.
``She is an artist and filmmaker. She wants to make deep, meaningful documentaries ... It is my dream that she will do a film about Yunnan,'' Fu said.
Fu's oldest daughter, Penny, is a microbiologist, living in Boston.
Explaining her interest in linking Virginia and Yunnan, Fu said, ``Virginia and Yunnan share so many similarities. The scenery is very much like here: mountains, lakes, caves and hot springs.''
Yunnan is also famous for hams, similar to Virginia's Smithfield hams. And speaking of food, Fu says the most common question people ask her is, ``What Chinese restaurant do you work for?''
Because of her royal background she could take offense at the stereotype but chooses to approach it lightheartedly.
``My answer to the question is always to recommend a good place to eat,'' she laughs, refusing for public relations reasons, to identify her personal favorite.
An interpreter and consultant for General Electric, Fu speaks three Chinese dialects. She is often asked whether she thinks in English or Chinese.
``I don't think. I just say it,'' is a typical answer for Fu.
Fu is proudest of her efforts to bridge the cultural gap between American and Chinese people by organizing dinner parties and escorting visiting Chinese business representatives all over the city.
``I [ love ]this place. I am very happy to be here, and I cannot imagine not talking about Roanoke, telling everything good I know about it,'' she says.
by CNB