Stephen W.H. Yih

April 2, 1919 - March 14, 2009

Stephen W.H. Yih, 89, founder of Wah Chang, Albany, died Saturday at his home.

One of the pioneers and leaders of the metals industry was Stephen W.H. Yih, who was born in Shanghai, China, on April 2, 1919. He attended school in Shanghai and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering in 1943. In 1947, Yih came to the United States and earned his Master of Science degree in electrical engineering from Brooklyn Polytechnical Institute, N.Y., as well as his Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering from New York University.

In 1956, at the beginning of the nuclear industry, Yih volunteered to come to Albany to start the first commercial production of zirconium for the Wah Chang Corporation, based in New York. Yih built and commenced production at Wah Chang's Albany facility in four months. By 1960, Yih was promoted to president of the Wah Chang Corporation and moved to the New York headquarters while continuing to manage the Albany plant. Under Yih's leadership, Wah Chang became a completely integrated metals plant which produced the highest-quality metals. Yih continued to be president of Wah Chang Albany after the acquisition by Teledyne in 1967. He retired as president in 1975.

In addition to his successful career, Yih was also known for his compassion and generosity to his community and family. Yih was honored as First Citizen of Albany in 1969. He served on the board of directors of the Albany Boys Club, the OHSU OGI School of Science and Engineering, and the OHSU Medical School Foundation.

Yih is survived by his wife, Mae Chih Feng Dunn Yih, whom he married in 1953 in New York; two sons, Donald and Daniel; daughters-in-law Pamela and Nancy; and four grandsons, Stephen, Alexander, Christopher and Benjamin.

Viewing will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Fisher Funeral Home. A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at the Albany United Presbyterian Church. Private burial will be at the Willamette Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Stephen Yih Scholarship fund for GAPS and sent in care of Fisher Funeral Home, 306 Washington St. S.W., Albany, OR 97321. (www.fisherfuneralhome.com)