DFW International Airport Mourns the Passing of Airport Board Chairman Robert W. Hsueh

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport will lower the DFW Airport flag to half-staff this week in honor of Board Chairman Robert W. Hsueh, who passed away Sunday morning at the age of 63. Mr. Hsueh had served as DFW Board Chairman for the past two years, and had served on the DFW Airport Board since August of 2005.

“For DFW International Airport, Robert Hsueh has been our pioneer and our navigator as we seek to connect this community to cities across the globe,” said Sean Donohue, CEO of DFW Airport. “He worked tirelessly on the development and promotion of DFW, culminating in his participation in last year’s announcement of direct air service to Hong Kong and Shanghai by American Airlines. Robert understood the value of air service to our community, but most importantly he treated all those he knew with dignity and respect.”

“I am personally saddened by the passing of this great ambassador and champion for the unity of the world,” said Lillie Biggins, DFW International Airport Board Vice Chair. “Robert had a vision where all of us would come together as one people, united in travel to access friends, family and business. He loved his family, friends and this great country. My heart, thoughts and prayers go to his wife Claire and the entire communities he has touched.”

“Our region has lost one of its most effective and visionary leaders,” said Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings. “Robert Hsueh dedicated his life to the creation of goodwill and understanding between nations and communities through the building of institutions, personal diplomacy, and strategic leadership. His contributions to aviation, our Airport and our region will endure for generations to come.”

"One of the reasons that our region and our state is ascending globally is the leadership of Robert Hsueh,” said Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price. “Robert was a dear friend. Like many Texans, he was not born here, but since his arrival, he contributed immeasurably to the economic vitality of the North Texas community, most particularly in strengthening the relationship between Texas and Asia. Robert was a mentor to many. He had the unique ability to discern the potential of individuals as leaders, and he modeled the characteristics of effective servant leadership throughout his life. We will miss Robert, and my thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family."

Under Mr. Hsueh’s leadership on the Board, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport greatly expanded its international air service portfolio, growing from 38 international destinations in 2005 to 59 international destinations today. DFW also added eleven new airline partners in his time on the Board of Directors, and saw its greatest period of international expansion in the past three years.

Mr. Hsueh was elected as the Chairman of the DFW International Airport Board of Directors in February 2012, after having served terms as Vice Chair and as Board Secretary. From his initial appointment to the DFW Airport Board in 2005, he served on numerous Board committees including Finance/Audit, Operations, Retirement/Investment and Executive Compensation as well as the CEO Search Working Group.

Mr. Hsueh had practiced International and Immigration Law in the Dallas area since 1979. He was the Managing Partner at the Law Office of Robert Hsueh.

In recent years, Mr. Hsueh was involved with many professional associations including the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission and the American Immigration Lawyers Association. He also served community and civic organizations extensively throughout his life. He was co-founder of the Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber of Commerce, and served on the board of the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth and the Dallas-China Partnership, among others.

Mr. Hsueh received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from Southern Methodist University School of Law in Dallas, and a Bachelor of Laws from Soochow University School of Law in Taipei, Taiwan.

Mr. Hsueh is survived by his wife Claire.

A memorial service for Mr. Hsueh will be announced at a later date.

(re)defining DFW International Airport

DFW International Airport’s $2.3 billion Terminal Renewal and Improvement Program (TRIP) is (re)defining first class for this global gateway. For the latest details regarding TRIP, log on to www.dfwairport.com/redefine.