In Memory of Patrick Yaqing Zhu
(From a lifelong friend)
I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my dear friend, Patrick Yaqing Zhu. It is hard to accept that someone so full of life, brilliance, and warmth is no longer with us.
I first met Patrick in 1983, just after I graduated from Nanjing University, while he had graduated from Peking University. We were both at Nanjing University as teaching assistants and also participated in a foreign language training program. We were not only in the same English class, but also lived next door to each other in the same dormitory, and quickly became close friends.
Patrick was, without question, one of the smartest people I have ever known. At the age of fifteen, he had already been admitted to Peking University—a remarkable achievement that reflected his extraordinary intellect. But what made Patrick truly special was not just his brilliance. He was energetic, curious, open-hearted, and disarmingly honest. There was a purity and authenticity about him that made everyone feel at ease. People naturally liked him, trusted him, and were drawn to him.
Those early years in Nanjing were filled with youthful energy and unforgettable memories. We picnicked, exercised, danced, debated, and shared our thoughts about life and the future. Like many young men, we were full of dreams—and Patrick lived his with courage and conviction.
Life eventually took us on different paths. I came to Cleveland, Ohio to pursue my Ph.D., and a few years later, Patrick moved to Canada to attend McMaster University for his EMBA. Fortunately, the distance between Cleveland and Hamilton was not great, even though we were in two different countries.
In 1991, after my first daughter Carolyn was born, we visited Patrick and Jennifer in Hamilton. I still remember the warmth of that reunion—two young families beginning new chapters of life. In 1993, Patrick and Jennifer came to visit us in Cleveland, a gesture that reflected his thoughtfulness and the importance he placed on friendship.
Later, after I moved to the Bay Area in 1998 to work at Apple, our paths crossed again. Patrick would often travel to Cupertino, where Hewlett-Packard had a major presence. Each time he came, we made sure to reconnect. No matter how busy life became, we always found time to sit down, talk, and share a meal. It was as if the years and distance had never separated us.
In 2022, a group of us gathered in Dallas, Texas. It was a joyful reunion, filled with laughter, stories, and memories of our younger days. I remember that visit vividly. Because I had to leave early the next morning, Patrick got up at dawn to drive me to the airport. It was such a simple gesture, yet deeply characteristic of him—thoughtful, generous, and quietly caring. None of us could have imagined that this would be our final meeting.
Patrick’s life was marked not only by intellectual brilliance and professional accomplishment, but also by kindness, sincerity, and strength of character. He lived with integrity, loved his family deeply, and remained loyal to his friends across decades and continents.
His passing leaves a profound void. Yet when I think of Patrick, I do not dwell only on loss. I think of a young man full of energy and curiosity, moving freely through the streets of Nanjing. I think of a lifelong friend whose presence brought warmth, laughter, and meaning into my life.
Patrick, thank you for your friendship—for the memories we shared, for your kindness, and for the journey we walked together.
My thoughts and deepest condolences are with his beloved wife Jennifer, and his children Richard and Michelle. May they find comfort in the love he gave, the life he lived, and the legacy he leaves behind.
You will always be remembered.
May you rest in peace.
悼念朱亚青
(一位挚友的追忆)
当得知我亲爱的朋友朱亚青离世的消息时,我深感悲痛。如此充满生命力、才华与温暖的人,就这样离开了我们,令人难以接受。
我与亚青相识于1983年。那时我刚从南京大学毕业,而他则毕业于北京大学。我们当时都在南京大学任助教,同时参加外语培训项目。我们不仅在同一个英语班学习,还住在同一栋宿舍、彼此相邻,很快便成为了亲密的朋友。
亚青无疑是我所认识的人中最聪明的一位。十五岁便考入北京大学,这本身就是非凡天赋的体现。但真正让他与众不同的,并不仅仅是他的聪颖才智。他充满活力、好奇心强,待人真诚坦率,毫不做作。他身上有一种纯粹与真实,让人感到轻松自在。也正因为如此,大家都自然地喜欢他、信任他,被他吸引。
在南京的那些岁月,充满了青春的激情与难忘的回忆。我们一起野餐、锻炼、跳舞、争论,也畅谈人生与未来。像所有年轻人一样,我们怀揣梦想,而亚青始终以勇气与坚定去追逐属于他的人生。
后来,人生的道路将我们带向不同的方向。我来到美国克利夫兰攻读物理博士,而几年之后,亚青去了加拿大,在麦克马斯特大学攻读EMBA。虽然身处不同国家,但克利夫兰与汉密尔顿之间的距离并不遥远,我们的友情也从未因此疏远。
1991年,在我的大女儿Carolyn出生之后,我们曾前往汉密尔顿探望亚青和Jennifer。那次重逢的温暖至今仍历历在目——两个年轻的家庭,各自开启人生新的篇章。1993年,亚青与Jennifer又专程来到克利夫兰看望我们,这份情谊让我至今难忘。
1998年我来到湾区,在Apple工作后,我们的人生轨迹再次有了交集。亚青常常因工作来到库比蒂诺——那里正是惠普的重要据点。每一次他来,我们都会尽量相聚。不论彼此多忙,总能抽出时间坐下来聊一聊、吃一顿饭。仿佛岁月与距离,从未真正把我们分开。
2022年,我们几位老友在德州达拉斯相聚。那是一次充满欢笑与回忆的重逢,那一幕至今清晰如昨。因为我第二天一早要赶飞机,亚青特意清晨起床送我去机场。这只是一个再普通不过的举动,却恰恰体现了他的为人——体贴、慷慨、默默关怀。谁也没有想到,那竟成了我们最后一次见面。
亚青的一生,不仅有卓越的才华与事业成就,更有难能可贵的品格——善良、真诚、坚韧。他为人正直,深爱家庭,对朋友始终如一,跨越数十年与万里距离,从未改变。
他的离去,在我们心中留下了难以填补的空白。然而当我想起他时,我不愿只停留在失去的悲伤中。我看到的是那个充满活力与好奇心的年轻人,在南京的街巷间自由穿行;我想到的是那位一生相知的朋友,为我的人生带来了温暖、欢笑与意义。
亚青,谢谢你——谢谢你的友情,谢谢我们共同走过的岁月,谢谢你的善良,也谢谢你一路以来的陪伴。
在此,我也向他的爱妻Jennifer,以及他的孩子Richard和Michelle致以最深切的慰问。愿他们在他曾给予的爱中得到安慰,在他走过的人生中看到力量,在他留下的精神中找到延续。
我们会永远记住你。
愿你安息。