George Yu

1931 - 2025

George Yu
05/16/1931 - 03/01/2025
George T. Yu, Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, renowned globally for his many contributions in the field of East Asian and African studies and distinguished career at the University of Illinois spanning four decades, died Saturday, March 1, 2025, in Oakmont, PA. He was 93. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Priscilla, brother, Charles, sons, Anthony (Mary) and Phillip (Frances), four grandchildren, Christopher (Linda), Martin (Lindsay), Nathan, Madeline (Jonathan), and one great-grandson, George.
Professor Yu's academic career was defined by his research, teaching, and leadership in the field of Political Science, specifically the political dynamics of China and its interactions with African nations. From 1961-1965, Yu taught in the Political Science Department at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. For the period of 1965 until his retirement in 2005, he taught at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, making significant contributions to the study of Chinese and African politics, authoring books and publications that reflected his deep expertise. Yu was a successful college administrator and fundraiser, serving as the Head of the Department of Political Science (1987-1992), Director of the Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies (1992-2004), and the Founding Director of the Asian American Studies Program (1997-2002).
George T. Yu was born May 16, 1931, in London, England, and spent his early years living and attending schools in Scotland and England while his parents attended graduate school. He spent the war years in Chongqing, the wartime capital of Nationalist China. He moved to the United States in 1947 and was admitted to the University of California-Berkeley in 1950 where he received his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees. While at UC-Berkeley, he met his wife, the former Priscilla Chang, at a summer class on political philosophy. They were married at the Old First Presbyterian Church in San Francisco in 1957.
As the grandson of the noted Chinese poet, calligrapher, and politician Yu Youren, George promoted the arts and culture and continued his support of Northwest Agricultural and Forestry University in Xian through his academic career and into his retirement. He loved travel, both in his academic pursuits and with family, sojourning throughout the Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and the Americas. His intellect, humor, and zest for life- along with his appetite for fine cuisine- made him a treasured companion. Family was his highest priority.
A memorial service in celebration of George's life will be held on Saturday, March 8, at 4 PM at Longwood at Oakmont's Chapel, 500 Route 909, Verona, PA.
Arrangements entrusted to the BURKET-TRUBY FUNERAL HOME CREMATION AND ALTERNATIVE SERVICES, INC., Oakmont.