Joyce Kallgren

I was just a kid from Oklahoma going to school at KU and attending the Center in Taipei trying to learn Chinese and get a doctorate in Chinese history. Joyce took pity on me and told me that the only way I would succeed in a field filled with PhDs from big name schools was to do a post-doctorate at the Center for Chinese Studies at Berkeley. Who was I to question her wisdom. I was fortunate to land a slot at the Center with Joyce's backing. Somehow an academic career never panned out as...

I worked for Joyce as Karen Tulis' assistant one memorable summer (1984). Joyce could be gruff, but that gruffness concealed a heart of gold, great generosity of spirit, and a quite incredible work ethic. Joyce - a pioneer in so many ways. You will be sorely missed.

I was lucky enough to be a student of Prof. Kallgren's at UCD in 1989-1991. She was what one idealizes a college professor to be: brilliant in her field, but possessing the ability to teach that subject to wide-eyed undergraduates. I have made China-watching my career in large part due to her inspiration. I respect & miss her.

I cherish memories of Joyce's unfailing wit and good humor, and of her great kindness as a mentor and friend, both when I worked with her on JAS and when I began teaching at Davis. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to her family. She was a wonderful person.

Joyce was a warm friend and helpful colleague when I showed up in Berkeley in the early 1970s. She was also one of the first women to make a mark of distinction in the field of China studies and Asian Studies in general. But she never lost sight of the non-academic side of life and always inquired about how things were going for me beyond the halls of academe. I will miss you; we will all miss you. Uldis Kruze, University of San Francisco

The world is a brighter place for having had Joyce among us. For the years I worked under her at IEAS she was compassionate, funny, and always brimming over with energy. I will miss her. My sympathies to Ed and the extended family (and dogs) she took such pleasure in.

I worked as Joyce's assistant at IEAS in the early 1990s. She could be tough at times but was always fair. She had a magnetic personality and all the cliches about lighting up a room were true. It was a great pleasure to have known her.

I remember Joyce from her stint at the Inter-University Program of Chinese Language Studies in Taiwan when I was director. She was an energetic, engaging colleague with the great appetite for life. My condelences to her family.

Joyce was a wonderful mentor to me when I worked for her at Asian Survey. It truly was a joy to work with her--I have missed her humor and advice in the years since, but the memories remain warm. Thank you for everything.