JAMIESON, John C. Noted Philologist
On November 14, 2022, we lost our beloved husband, father and brother, John C. Jamieson. He passed away, at his home in Newton, MA, at the age of 89, after a short illness. He was formerly of Berkeley, CA.
John was the son of the late Florence and George Jamieson. John had two daughters by his first wife, Cholhee Jamieson; Ellen of Irvine, CA and Caroline of New York, NY. He was the loving husband of Wang Qun Jamieson; with whom he had a third daughter, Nana of Newton, MA. He also left two brothers, George of New London, NH and Robert of Woburn, MA.
He served in the United States Army from 1952 until 1955. He was enrolled in the Army Language School in Monterey, CA, where he became proficient in several Asian languages. After being discharged from military service, he earned his Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy from the University of California in Berkeley, CA. He was the recipient of The Younger Humanist award of the National Endowment of the Humanities in 1973, was a Fulbright fellow from 1959-1961, a Ford fellow from 1964-1966, a Member of the Association of Asian Studies, Asia Society (China council) and a Phi Beta Kappa recipient.
His career included serving as Professor of Oriental Languages at Berkeley, Director of Stanford University Inter University Program for Chinese Language Studies, Academic advisor to the United States Embassy in Beijing, China, Associate director for the Institute of East Asian Studies for Berkeley and Director of the University of California Center in China. In 1971, he participated in what was then known as "Ping Pong Diplomacy" and advised the administration of Richard M. Nixon in its dealings with the Chinese government. His efforts helped to establish what was considered to be a turning point in relations between the U.S. and China. He also was editor or author of a number of Chinese texts.
In addition to his career accomplishments, he served several administrations as a member of the Committee on scholarly communications with the People's Republic of China, National Academy of Sciences and was listed as a noteworthy philologist, educator by Marquis Who's Who.
John will be remembered for his intellectual brilliance, calm manner, his sharp wit and deep love and commitment to his family.
A private Service of Remembrance for his immediate family will be held at his home in the near future.
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