Tim Ho is actively involved in public service.

His previous public offices include permanent trustee of the United College of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, senior advisor to the Council of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, director of the Hang Seng Business College, one of the founders of the Tang Shiu Kin Ho Tim Charitable Foundation, and the permanent association of the Ho Clan Association of Hong Kong.

Chairman, the permanent honorary president of the Hong Kong Panyu Club and the permanent honorary president of the Gold and Silver Trade Center.

In March 1994, Tim Ho, Leung Kau-ju, Ho Shan-heng and Lee Quo-wai each donated HK$100 million to establish the "Ho Leung Ho Lee Foundation", which awards bonuses to outstanding scholars in the mainland every year and is known as China's Nobel Prize.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong awarded him an honorary Doctor of Social Sciences in 1982, the City University of Hong Kong awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Business Administration in 1997, and in 1999, Tim Ho received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Hong Kong.

In recognition of his significant contributions to the mainland, He Tian was awarded the title of Honorary Citizen by Guangzhou City in 1988.

Later, he was awarded the title of Honorary Citizen by Panyu City and Shunde City in 1990 and 1995.

Passed away in Sanatorium & Hospital on November 6, 2004, at the age of ninety-five.