Edward C Lim

Dr. Edward Lim (November 17, 1931 - September 20, 2022)

Dr. Edward C. Lim, age 90, passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of September 20, 2022. He was born on November 17, 1931 in Korea, the eldest of four sons, yet the one who outlived all his younger brothers. During the Korean War, Ed served as an interpreter embedded with the U.S. Marines. His friendships with several American servicemen led to him coming to the U.S. for college, receiving his bachelor's degree in Chemistry from St. Procopius College (now called Benedictine University) in Illinois. He went on to graduate studies at Oklahoma State University, where after one year he met his future wife, Bee Tuan Lim (formerly Uy), literally upon her arrival on campus to start her PhD in Chemistry program. He was immediately smitten.

Following the completion of his Ph.D., Ed married Bee in 1958 and then moved to the Chicago area where he began his academic/teaching career at Loyola University while Bee completed her Ph.D. at Northwestern University. Their daughters Diane and Janice were born and raised there until 1969 when Ed moved to Wayne State University in Detroit-where he would be a professor for the next 20 years. From 1989 until his retirement, Ed held a chaired professorship as the Goodyear Professor of Chemistry at the University of Akron. In 2001 Ed received the prestigious Ho-Am Prize in Science, awarded to individuals of Korean heritage "who have furthered the welfare of humanity through distinguished accomplishments in the field of Science." Ed retired from Akron and his over-50-year career as a chemistry professor in 2011, just a few months shy of turning 80. His research career had been a prolific one, having written over 320 articles published in refereed academic journals, and having edited a seven-volume book series "Excited States"-referencing the focus of his research on molecular excited state structure and dynamics. He had taught and trained dozens of Ph.D. students and postdocs who worked in his large lab filled with cutting-edge laser equipment, and secured millions of dollars in DOE and NSF grant funding. Ed traveled the world extensively to speak, lecture, and collaborate at academic and government institutions and conferences/meetings. He was committed to his work and very happy with his accomplishments.

Ed was preceded in death by his wife Bee, who passed away unexpectedly in 2017 on their 59th wedding anniversary. For the past 5 years Ed resided at Cedarbrook Senior Living in Plymouth MI, near his younger daughter. He enjoyed the social network within Cedarbrook and the time he spent with family, attending special events in the area and any opportunity to enjoy a good glass of wine at the local restaurants. For the majority of his residence Ed was the most physically active in his community. He would walk laps around the hallways, and during musical entertainment he would show off his dance moves. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, his stomach cancer diagnosis, and a broken ankle in the past two years, he always showed his positive and cheerful outlook on life. He cherished the regular visits from his brother-in-law Joaquin (Bee's youngest brother) and seeing his grandchildren, of whom he was so proud. Ed also loved and appreciated his personal caregivers - Ovetta, Ingrid, Jeanette, Sada, Laverne, and Carrie - who enabled his best quality of life. He was kind, generous, and grateful for friends and family.

Ed is survived by his two daughters, Diane Lim (Bill Gale) and Janice Verkerke (Jerry), and his six grandchildren-Allie Rogers Cailer (Kristian), Emily Lim Rogers, Chloe Verkerke, Grace Rogers, Johnny Rogers, and Joey Verkerke.

The family is planning a June 10 2023 memorial ceremony and joint burial of Ed and his wife Bee at Parkview Memorial Cemetery in Livonia MI. In lieu of flowers, donations to "Cedarbrook", for the Memory Care Employee Fund, may be sent to: Cedarbrook Senior Living of Northville, Attn: Barb Crawford, 15700 N. Haggerty, Plymouth, MI 48170.