Diamond, Samuel Kwang-Yeung
Samuel Kwang-Yeung Diamond passed away on April 6, 2026, in Blacksburg, Virginia. He was 23 years old and held the promise of a brilliant future. He was a senior at Virginia Tech, majoring in Computer Science at the College of Engineering with a minor in Mathematics. Sam was a proud Hokie.
Sam was born in Los Angeles, California, at the UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital on November 8, 2002. His maternal grandfather Frank Hom gave him the name “Kwang-Yeung” which means a broad and brilliant sun, an appropriate description for his beautiful mind. He was a beloved and happy child who could spend endless days on the beach, playing with toy trucks, and building with Legos. Although he was often shy and quiet, he was known for his sweet nature, witty comebacks, critical thinking, astute comments on culture and politics, dry humor, mathematical abilities, and natural gift as a teacher. A student at The Hotchkiss School and a graduate of Sidwell Friends, he spent time on lacrosse and cross-country teams and enjoyed being a member of the Robotics Club. He found his home at Virginia Tech, and relished the challenges of rigorous and competitive academics, excelling as a humble and gifted scholar. He loved his Tech college professors and courses—programming, math, electives, humanities, art. He read avidly, frequently rereading books by Bradbury, Singer, Pynchon, Asimov, and Dahl. Since his teenage years, Sam was an extraordinarily gifted writer who could deliver a short story, critical essay, or analysis of history effortlessly.
Sam is survived by his parents, David Diamond and Hellen Hom-Diamond, and his sister, Katie, with whom he shared a special bond. He is also survived by his grandfather Frank Hom; aunts and uncles Elaine and Dewey Fanning, John and Misa Hom, Lisa Smith and Brendan Kelly, Andrew Diamond and Caroline Rolland-Diamond; and beloved extended family and cousins in Baltimore, Boston, Paris, Seattle, Connecticut, and California. He especially loved his cousins Isaac and Bess Wright-Levine. The family is deeply grateful to the kindness of the Blacksburg community, Elizabeth Kaires, and Virginia Tech which will graciously award him a Bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, posthumously in May 2026.
Sam will be missed and cherished forever. The family will hold a memorial service in late May or early June and hopes to establish a scholarship in his honor. For information about the upcoming service or scholarship, please be in touch via email at HellenHom@gmail.com or visit this site for updates. The family kindly seeks any memories, photos, videos, or stories about Sam be sent to this email as well.
