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Chang-Yun Fan Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Chang-Yun Fan
Tsung-hsun Tsai
February 4, 2010
It was a great sorrow to hear that Professor Fan unexpectedly passed from this life. Professor Fan was my supervisor during my final years in the University of Arizona when my advisor was away. I had the pleasure of chatting with him every week for over three years. We discussed my experiment and also talked about various events, people, and ideas. He used to tell me that he had a yearning to write a book about using simple apparatus to teach physics, so we often talked about general physics problems from experimental viewpoint – questions that I did not have the ability to ask when I was an undergraduate student. For my dissertation work, he continued to invigorate me and tried to help in every aspect with ardent efforts. Indeed, he drafted a design for me to solve a heat transfer problem. Even after I have graduated and left Tucson, he was still solicitous about my work and life. I miss a brilliant scientist with many fresh ideas, support and understanding, and a good mentor and friend. I would like to express my sincere condolences to Fan family.
Xiaofang Feng (Chen)
January 16, 2010
I still remember clearly the first time I met him and your whole family when I was 14, in Beijing. He impressed me so much as a great scientist as well as a nice uncle. I admire him. I respect him. I am glad to have an uncle like him, and I feel lucky that I had many opportunities to get to know him.
May our deep concern and sincere sympathy bring you comfort at this difficult time.
Christina Jarvis
January 16, 2010
I was really sorry to hear about the death of your father--he was such an amazing and humane and all-round cool person. The piece in the paper was wonderful; I'm glad they shared his life story with a larger public. The world is better off for men like him, and for the family he and your mother reared. I know it must be tough for you and your family; you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Jiping Wu
January 16, 2010
The painful news of the passing away of
your father reached me yesterday, and I was so shocked that I could not believe it. How great the sorrow of your family must be and I know of
no words to console you in the sad hour. I wish to offer my sincerest condolences upon this sad event.
I would never forget his kind assistance and valuable advice during my stay in Tucson about 30 years ago.
He was not only my supervisor, but also "supervisor" to every Visiting Fellow and student from China during
that time and thereafter.
My husband joins with me in sending our kindest condolences
and sympathy. We hope that time will soon heal your sorrow.
Ann and Laurence Denman
January 16, 2010
We were so sorry to hear of the loss of your dad. He was a lovely man. We have happy memories of our visit to their house for thanksgiving and the interesting conversations we had with him (or should I say discussions) He was such a knowledgeable person. I am sure he will be eternally grateful to you for enabling him to make one last visit to his homeland and has passed on knowing that all his friends and relations in china are well and happy. Laurie treasures the stamp book he gave to him.
Our thoughts are with you.
Margarita Kay
January 16, 2010
We will miss this fine, humorous scientist.
Bruce Barrett
January 16, 2010
Charlie was a wonderful friend and colleague, whose company and wisdom I always enjoyed and appreciated.
Joan and I send you and your family our deepest sympathy and condolences.
Lucy Hsieh-Yuan
January 16, 2010
Your Dad was a wonderful man, who was generous & kind to everyone. Everyone adores & respects him.
He had a very good, healthy & long life. He shall live on in many of our hearts.
Tianshu Wang
January 16, 2010
I will always remember him, the great gentleman who was so intelligent,
humble, and warm hearted. Rest in peace, Mr. Fan!
Nick Hill
January 16, 2010
Xiaoyu and I are very sorry to hear the news about your father. I have happy memories of staying with Charlie and June when I was working with John Kessler. Please pass on our condolences and best wishes to all your family, especially June.
Monique Pick
January 16, 2010
I am deeply affected by the death of Charlie,
As you know, I was very young when I joined as post-doc, the Chicago group in October 1966. Charlie immediately welcomed me with an amazing kindness and supervised my work. During my stay in Chicago, I had the great privilege to work closely with him and to discover the research field of energetic particles and space physics. I realize that Charlie deeply influenced my own research orientations. We became good friends; I developed a great admiration for his human behaviour. I still remember the period of the "Cultural Revolution". During this period, He asked me to transfer through Paris, many letters he sent to his relatives in China . Since this period, I met him a few times and I was always expecting that he and his wife will visit us in Paris. This dream was never realized.
Sara & Nien-he Toomey/Hsieh
January 16, 2010
We are terribly saddened to learn of your father's passing. Please accept
our condolences.
Your father was like a grandfather to Nien-hê. He will be dearly missed.
Please know our thoughts are with you and your mother.
With deepest sympathy,
Ronglan Xu
January 16, 2010
We are so sorry to learn that Dr Fan passed. Please accept our sincere condolences. Dr Fan was one of the pioneers of Space Exploration,and keep working till the end of his life. I still remember our first scientific discussion, during the time that our Institute was stayed in Xian in 1979.
It is my honor to be his student and also to work with him in the field of magnetosphere data analyzing observed from the satellite. This is a good start and led to me a right direction in my Space Physical study.
Moreover, I am very impress for his physical idea and thinking, especially during the discussion in Beijing Jade Palace Hotel just a few months before.
Dr Fan will live forever in our heart
Please accept our deepest sympathy
Shizuka & Eric Hsieh/Haag
January 16, 2010
Very sad to hear the news, though I know your dad would not want us to be sad. Thank you all for making sure we had a chance to see you and your folks (and to enjoy amazing food with you) while we were in Tucson. We have good memories.
Louise Anthony
January 16, 2010
A plucky gentleman. No, we cannot be sorry for the way his life ended, but he will be missed, remembered and found in the changes in us made by knowing him.
George Gehrels
January 16, 2010
I have great memories of my Uncle Charlie, and will miss him.
Neil Gehrels
January 16, 2010
My thoughts go out to Charlie. He had a great influence on my life and career. The job he offered me as an undergraduate and his excellent mentoring for 4 years were the beginnings of my astrophysics work. He was also a close friend from my earliest memories. He had a great life and has a wonderful family.
Shufang Su
January 16, 2010
I am so sorry to hear abour Dr. Fan. Yes, indeed he has been a great colleague, mentor, teacher and friend. I can still remember vividly his joyful speech on his birthday banquet dinner we had together. We will really really miss him.
Charlie & Peggy Nugent
January 16, 2010
Peggy and I were so sorry to learn that your father had died. He was an outstanding person. It is comforting to learn that his last day was so commfortable.
H Oona
January 16, 2010
I was his student in the 70's. Charlie was my guide, mentor, father figure and friend. I owe my career to his guidance and wisdom. We will be greatly missed.
Dietrich Hovestadt
January 16, 2010
I remember meeting Charlie and you the first time, when I came as a research fellow to the LASR in Chicago in summer 1967. Sybille and me received big help in particular from the Fans in the first days, when we had to move into the unfurnished apartment of Randy Jokipii in 63rd Street. Beds for the two children and other equipment from you at the time was very welcome to us.
It did not take long at that time that Charlie became Professor at U of Arizona and you moved to Tucson. In fall 1968 Charlie and George Gloeckler visited LASR several times. While sharing the same guest-room there we had many inspiring discussions not only about physics but also about other fields like philosophy, music etc. He was really an impressive and sympathetic colleague.
At the event of the International Cosmic Ray Conference 1969, he and George visited me at the Max-Planck Institute in Munich and from there went with me by car from Munich to Budapest. At Munich I was able to show them a new type of sensor system a student was working on. At Budapest we three agreed to try to include the system into the IMP experiment Charlie and George were working on. With significant help of Charlie, NASA finally agreed and I was very excited to become co-experimenter in an important space experiment. This was my great chance in the field - to great deal thanks to Charlie...
Always I admired Charlie that he, after so many years of forced absence from China, created a long lasting and fruitful cooperation with scientists in his old home country China... His pleasant personality with almost always being in a good mood and his interest in learning new things in science whenever possible helped him and guided him in his scientific as well as general career. And most important to have a very nice and gifted family with him. We will always remember him as our good friend.
George & Chris Gloeckler
January 16, 2010
We will always remember Charlie as a long-time friend who influenced our lives in so many ways. Charlie was a most gentle person, considerate and helpful to others. His knowledge of physics was broad and his many scientific accomplishments, which are his legacy to the world, will stand the test of time. He was very well respected and esteemed by his fellow scientists, which was so evident during the 'Fanfare' of his 90th birthday when so many of his friends, as well as colleagues came to celebrate. We were fortunate to be among them.
CY placed a dominant role in shaping my (George's) career. Charlie was my mentor at Chicago and I learned much from him about physics and how to design and build space instruments. We collaborated in proposing our own first space experiment for IMP 7 and 8 and were successful with it. Over the years I sought him out for advice and always got it. It was Charlie's suggestion to use thin carbon foils in time-of-flight spectrometers that launched this technology for composition measurements of space plasmas. I am thankful for the opportunity I had in working with him.
LIz Parmenter
January 16, 2010
Charlie was a sweet man! It is not usual to apply that term to a man, but my father was a sweet man also -- caring and kind.
I saw him just after his return from his last trip to China. We discussed the exercises he did and we talked about having him as a teacher. I'm sorry to miss that.
My dearest memories of Charlie were the years he arranged for a party(?) to enjoy the Chinese New year. The food was delicious and the experience divine.
Ray Hughs
January 16, 2010
I will have a soft spot in my heart for Charlie as long as I live. He really got our first grant to build a low energy accelerator to study ion impact on atmospheric gases here at Arkansas. Since he was leaving, I became the principal investigator on the grant. He gave me a big boost in my research career. As you say, he was a kind man and a real scientist. My life was certainly enhanced by knowing him, for even such brief period of time.
Pat & Larry McIntyre
January 16, 2010
We have enjoyed our years of close friendship with all the family and will miss Charlie's always happy, joyous personality. We remember with fondness the competition between Charlie, Leon and Pat for the earliest and biggest home grown snow peas. Charlie had a long and productive life and we mourn his passing.
Molly Larson
January 16, 2010
I shall always remember his quiet charm and gentle humor, his sensible and inspiring advice.... Your Dad was the best. I know him better than my own Papa.
His faith and dedication toward our mother country, science and friends are truly inspiring. His life-long superb accomplishments have shaped numerous minds and careers, inspired them to carry on his legacy of contributing to the advancement of science and well-being of humanity. Yes, he will remain on top of my list of 'most admired people'.
Iris Veomett
January 16, 2010
I have some many fond memories of Charlie. One is meeting him in his garden when I came over to bring him USCPFA things. He loved to show me his winter vegetables, snow peas and other things. One year he was putting up wire around the garden to keep the rabbits out. Then we could go to the back garden to see the flowers...
Another is when I would call and you (June) would answer the phone. You would call Chang-Yun and I could recognize the Chinese word for phone call -- da dianhua -- one of the few I remember after my years of studying Chinese.
Charlie was an interesting and sweet person and loved to tell us all about China. And he worked so hard for the Chinese students at the UA. I will miss him very much.
Siming Liu
October 13, 2009
A great man with ardent passion and love!
John Olsen
April 10, 2009
Charlie Fan was first a colleague and friend of my father, Stanley Olsen. The two of them traveled together to China in 1976 -- the first of my father's many visits to China to engage in collaborative paleontological research with colleagues in Beijing facilitated by Charlie. His visits -- and Charlie's encouragement while I was an undergraduate in the 1970s -- led me to ultimately choose China as a field of study as well. Over the decades that I knew him, Charlie never failed to be interested in a full spectrum of intellectual activities that intersected on China. His own contributions to Science (and here I conspicuously use the capital S) are legion, but those of us who were privileged to have known Charlie Fan and to have been influenced by his calm generosity will, I think, most fondly remember his warmth and openness. Charlie was the most serene and giving person I've ever known and I will miss him deeply. My heartfelt condolences to June, Paula, and the rest of the Fan clan. Fan Laoshi, wo jingyang nin!
Paula Fan
April 3, 2009
This was posted on the life story page that appears in the Arizona Daily Star archives. How lovely to have another memory!
Comment by Bee P. (Bee15) — March 31,2009 @ 3:36PM
Charlie Fan, a modest genius, was brilliant, kind, and generous. His recommendation provided me with a position teaching English to a group of scientists in Kunming, China in 1981 a delightful experience in this City of Eternal Spring. Earlier, he worked devotedly to establish and guide the U.S.China People's Friendship Assocaition in both Tucson and Phoenix. I'm a better person for knowing Charlie Fan and his wife, June. My heartfelt sympathy to his wife June, his family and all his colleagues and friends in Tucson, Arizona and the scientific community.
Shing Fung
March 27, 2009
I met Dr. Fan in the early '70s at his house where he and his wife used to treat many Chinese foreign students for home-cooked meals on weekends. That made us feel more connected and less homesick. Although I took a number of Physics courses as an Astronomy student at the U of A, I (unfortunately) never had the opportunity to take a course from Dr. Fan. Instead, Dr. Fan took me in as his undergraduate research assistant and taught me about solar energetic particles and betatron acceleration. What a treat it was! Perhaps unbeknown to him, Dr. Fan might have planted the seed for my career in Space Physics.
Tom Gehrels
March 4, 2009
He showed us how to live and how to die.
Charles Curtis
March 4, 2009
I met Charlie in the fall of 1969, when I began graduate studies in physics at the University. He taught a course in electricity and magnetism, and I was immediately struck by his obvious enthusiasm for teaching, his attention to detail, and the real excitement he showed in discussing his work in space science. I quickly decided I’d like to work for him, and was fortunate enough to be hired as one of his research assistants. I spent the summer of 1970 working with him on a project at the Kitt Peak solar observatory, photographing the sun in an ultraviolet wavelength and studying 5-minute oscillations. I later became involved in one of his experiments to study energetic neutral particle showers associated with auroral activity in the upper atmosphere, and was thrilled to help build and test an instrument which was launched on a sounding rocket in Alaska during the dead of winter. My dissertation described that work, and it marked the beginning of my own career spent in the development of space science instrumentation.
Charlie was a gifted mentor, and set an excellent example for anyone trying to learn the essence of good science. He asked thoughtful questions during discussions and demanded rigor, but was never demeaning. He was inevitably cheerful and reasonably optimistic, and while he was sometimes doubtful about such mundane matters as funding and bureaucracy, he was never cynical.
I remained close to Charlie during my years at the U of A, and never had to walk more than a few meters to reach his office. He always expressed interest in what I was doing, and was quick to inform me about his latest undertaking.
When I conjure up an image of Charlie, he’s sitting at his desk thinking over some problem – then he looks up and smiles as I poke my head into his office. I know I’m going to enjoy our conversation!
Charles Curtis
February 2009
Zhao Chen
February 9, 2009
Prof. Fan was the pillar of the Tucson Chinese Community and will be sorely missed by us all. I have known him for over 20 years. Before I came to U.S., I had already heard about Prof. Fan. My senior colleagues who visited UA prior told me to meet Prof. Fan as soon as I arrive in Tucson. “You will not be homesick if you get in touch with him and his home is always open to Chinese students and scholars”, they told me. Indeed, I was warmly welcomed by Prof. Fan and his lovely wife. Soon, they became friends with me and my whole family, including my parents. In my mind, Prof. Fan had played a central role in the Chinese Student and Scholar community. He always appeared at our Chinese Student & Scholar’s parties and meetings, smiling, shaking hands, and saying hello to everyone. He had an amazing memory as he could recall almost all names after one gathering. He had a golden heart that embraced all the Chinese students and scholars. He was there sharing our worries and providing support during difficult times. He was there laughing with us during many of the celebrations. He had always spoken out for us and provided an honest opinion to the media on issues concerning China. Not too long ago he was at the Reid Park with us, showing our support for the Beijing Olympics…It is heartbreaking to hear the news of his passing. I still cannot believe that the energetic Prof. Fan has already left us. I feel extremely lucky to have known him and received his guidance. My family and I will never forget his kindness, wisdom, love, vitality, and humor. Our sincere condolences go to Prof. Fan’s wife and family.
Prof. Zhao Chen
Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health
University of Arizona
Dave Burnett
February 9, 2009
My sincere condolences to the family of Dr. Fan. I worked in a lab across from his office in the early 90's. He was a gentle man who was always ready with a kind word and a little something to challenge my knowledge. Though our interactions were too few, I have fond memories of him to this day.
Howard Lin
February 9, 2009
A very heartfelt condolence to the Fan family. Dr. Fan will be sorely missed by all that were lucky enough to have been able to know him.
Dr. Fan was a very kind and giving individual. He was always good to students, including my parents in the 60's, and later on myself and my sister.
I was honored that he attended and spoke at my wedding; being one of the longest married couples, he shared great and humorous words of advice for a successful marriage.
We will greatly miss him.
Hansen Shih
February 8, 2009
A sense of emptiness comes over me, upon learning the passage of ???Mr. Fan.
He epitomize ?? gentleman, with such grace that his unassuming ways made me feel that I could always trust him. Fittingly, to my daughter and son, he was ??? grandpa Fan, in the best loving sense.
Si Liu
February 7, 2009
I express my deepest condolences to Teng Laoshi (Tsung-Ying "June") and all the other family members of Dr. Fan on his passing. I cannot help weeping for the loss of an outstanding man, a distinguished scholar, as well as my teacher and friend. Dr. Fan was one of the most helpful and concerned persons about me since I have been staying in the USA. When I was studying for a Ph. D at the University of Arizona with my family from 1997 to 2004, and encountered financial difficulties, it was Dr. Fan who introduced me to the US-China Peoples Friendship Association and endorsed me for twice of their scholarship for my tuitions. Dr. Fan encouraged me to actively participate in the activities of the Association, which brought me a lot of significant, valuable and pleasant experiences with the friendly members.
In holidays, Dr. Fan and Teng Laoshi invited my family to their house, and offered us rich dinners. We talked a lot at the dinner, and Dr. Fan was always in high spirit. His face still appears smiling in front of me and his voice seems still sounding around my ears. I will be missing you, Fan Laoshi.
Dianne Kalbach (Dickson)
February 5, 2009
My father (Robert Kalbach) worked at the UofA until 1980 when he passed away suddenly. I miss all the people at the physics department and will miss Dr.Fan also. Strength and Blessings to the whole Fan Family.
Srin Manne
February 4, 2009
I did not know Charlie well, but he was my "office neighbor" and a gentle and wise presence in the physics department. My condolences to his family.
John Pattison
February 3, 2009
Dr. Fan taught me Freshman Physics in 1979 - one of the great instructors in my memory - and my regard for him grew continuously in the years following.
Very Best Regards,
Judy Pollock
February 3, 2009
Byron and I send our sincere condolences to your family and hope memories will sustain you through these sad times.
Lei Li
February 2, 2009
The jumping troll from your garden is growing well at my home. It reminds me the happy time when I visited you early 2006. I'll cherish the memories forever.
Jacques and Maryann L'Heureux
January 27, 2009
My sincere condolences to the family of Dr. Fan on his passing. Charlie, as I have known him for over 40 years, has been a mentor, a colleague and a friend that will be sorely missed.
I relish the fact that we were able to see him again just about a year ago during the 90th Birthday Symposium that we organized for him, where I found him as lively as ever.
When my father visited Tucson in the 1960s, I was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics working with Charlie. He and June invited our family to their house to meet theirs. He and my father had a great time together and my father talked about it for years afterward.
Charlie was such a charmer and his humor was unique. This weekend, when I told my oldest daughter of his passing , she recalled Charlie telling her that his name was in every car in America pointing to the label for the fan on-off switch on the dashboard. She was about 10 at the time.
I am so glad to have known him all those years.
Davis Hartman
January 26, 2009
I offer my heartfelt condolences to the family of Dr. Fan on his passing. I cannot express the sense of loss I felt on first hearing the news. Charlie Fan is a hero of mine. When I was his student, he taught me much physics, to be sure. However, more was happening during those grad student days. Dr. Fan subtly taught me how to believe in myself, through hard work and dedication to learning. It is a lesson I still call on every day. I will miss you, Dr. Fan.
Mark Hansen
January 24, 2009
My sincere condolences to the Fan family. Dr Fan was a very nice man who I had the pleasure of getting to know briefly a few years ago. I also went to grade school with his son, Michael.
Sincerely,
David Cowell
January 24, 2009
I was acquainted with Dr. Fan in the late 1960s through his family and his involvement in the Chinese language curriculum in TUSD. (There was once such a Camelot.)
Dr. Fan was an extraordinary man who could stand astride two worlds and show each the beauty of the other. He wanted the best from himself and he encouraged the best in others.
I grieve with you. A great and good man is gone. Please be gentle with yourselves and come to see that you were fortunate that such a man was here with you.
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