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Alfred Wang Obituary
MISSOURI CITY, Tx. - Alfred S. (Shih-p'u) Wang, Associate Professor Emeritus of English at East Carolina University, died peacefully at home, surrounded by his wife and two daughters, in Missouri City, TX, on Sept. 20. He taught in the Department of English at ECU from 1967 to 1994. From 1990 to 1996, he served on the NC Humanities Council. His wife, Veronica, is also Associate Professor Emeritus of English at ECU; they taught English literature to undergraduates and M.A. students for a combined total of 60 years. Their generosity made possible The Wang Distinguished Medical Initiative at ECU's Brody School of Medicine.
Wang was born in Yantai, China, on March 16, 1931, and received his A.B. in English in 1958 from Davidson College, where he was also class poet. He and his wife received their Ph.D.s in English from Tulane University; they were one of very few Chinese nationals before the normalization of relations with the People's Republic of China to obtain Ph.D.s in English literature and to teach at an American university in that discipline. He published articles on American literature and comparative literature in such journals as Literature and Medicine and Walt Whitman Review.
He and his wife lived for 34 years in Greenville. They moved in 2001 to Missouri City, TX, where their second daughter, Lisa, a pediatric oncologist, lives. Their older daughter, Dorothy, teaches English literature at Williams College in MA. He is survived by his wife and daughters, a grandson, two sisters, and a brother. Remembrances can be left at http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Alfred-Wang&lc=4607&pid=175894043&mid=6603054.
As published in The Daily Reflector
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Memories and Condolences
for Alfred Wang
Sponsored by anonymous.
Halvor Moe
March 17, 2019
A favourite mentor and friend who I had the great pleasure of studying under in the seventies. I will never forget you, nor your wife.
Your Norwegian friend
Halvor Moe
October 9, 2015
As a friend of Dr. and Dr. Wang's daughter Dorothy, I know from her something of her parents' remarkable life stories. I'm certain that their lives and achievements must have inspired all with whom they have come in contact, and not least their daughter Dorothy, who has done her parents the great honor of following in their footsteps as a professor of American Studies at Williams College. Her brilliant book Thinking Its Presence: Form, Race, and Subjectivity in Contemporary Asian American Poetry is in effect an homage to her parents' ground-breaking work in Asian American literature. I know from Dorothy how very much her father meant to her, and I send my deepest sympathy to her, her mother and all her family.
Margaret Sloan
Michael Leong
October 3, 2015
My condolences. It's very inspiring to hear of pioneers in the field who have made space for people of Asian descent in the field of English. May his memory endure.
October 1, 2015
Dear Veronica,Lisa and Dorothy, I was so sorry to see that Dr. Wang had passed away. I so enjoyed seeing all of you when you were in Greenville. I think of you often whenever I look at the beautiful bowl that you gave me when I married. Please know that all of you are in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Terry Barnes Edwards
Bruce Southard
October 1, 2015
Vicky and family,
Sherry and I recently received news of Al's passing and wanted to offer our condolences. Since we have now both retired and moved to Greensboro in order to be closer to our children, we have little contact with the English Department, but did receive this link to the obituary and Guest Book from a former colleague. Since we didn't have your address, we're using this means of telling you that you've been in our thoughts and prayers.
Bruce and Sherry Southard
September 26, 2015
My sincere condolences to the family for the loss of Mr. Wang. As you come together and reflect on wonderful memories of him, may you draw much comfort in this time of sorrow.
Barbara and Robert Hayes
September 25, 2015
We were sorry to learn about the recent passing of Al, a man who was friendly and kind with a really good sense of humor. He will be missed by his neighbors across the lake and buddies at the gym. Our sincere condolences to Vicky and the entire family.
Amy Oseroff
September 25, 2015
I knew Al through Glen Ballard & the Greenville Health Club. He was such a delightful friend, always interested, interesting, and unfailingly kind. Stories he told me are still household words (my husband & I practice what we will say to one another post-cataract surgery). I am a grade school teacher, and Al's story about his trip from China to attend the university, and his meeting with Eleanor Roosevelt, has captivated students year after year. My greatest sympathy to the family, and my greatest thanks for having known such a wonderful person.
m landen
September 25, 2015
Dr. and Dr. Wang, to me, were fine people. I recall Alfred's stories of his days in mainland China. Vickie was my Chinese instructor at ECU -- able and affable. I enjoyed the conversations we had at the old athletic club in Greenville in the 90s. My sympathies to the family.
Lincoln Lu
September 24, 2015
I never had the privilege to meet Mr. Alfred Wang in person. I have only heard about him through my father in-law, whom is the youngest brother of Mr. Wang.
His stories are almost legendary but at least heroic to my father in-law, whom has always seen him as his role model for life.
Please accept my deepest condolences to the entire family.
David Paul
September 24, 2015
Al was a remarkable man with unusual qualities. He was observant, intuitive, spontaneous, and intellectually curious, with a subtle wit. A disarmingly soft-spoken man with a strong will, he had an enchanting, child-like charisma, and a presence that could fill a room. He is greatly missed, and will be fondly remembered.
Ron Hoag
September 24, 2015
I remember Al and Vicky fondly as my colleagues in the English Department at East Carolina University, where I still teach. Wonderful people with a fascinating personal history. I am thankful to have known them and send condolences to Vicky and the entire family.
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