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In memory of
Yi-Noo Tang
February 28, 1938 - December 22, 2018
Feb 28, 1938 - Dec 22, 2018
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Yi-Noo's obituary
Born in 1938 in the Chinese province of Hunan, his parents were General Tang Su of the National Revolutionary Army (KMT) and Chiu Chau of the Zhou clan of Hunan.
His early life revolved around running from the Japanese invasion of China in World War II and escaping China during the Communist Revolution. While his family owned land, he almost died from malaria and sometimes suffered from extreme poverty.
Graduating from Chung Chi College of the Chinese University of Hong Kong with a degree in Chemistry in 1958, Yi-Noo was then accepted to the Ph.D. program in Chemistry at Kansas University in Lawrence. There he studied under future Nobel Laureate Dr. Sherwood Rowland.
He defended his dissertation and got married on the same day in September 1964. He married Eugenia Che-Gen Ying, who had immigrated from the Republic of China (Taiwan) and earned a Master’s Degree in Library Science.
The couple moved to College Station, Texas in 1966 when Yi-Noo became one of the first Asian American professors at Texas A&M University. In 1970 and in 1971, Yi-Noo and Eugenia welcomed their two children into the world. They are Irwin Ai-Bong Tang and Irene Ai-Lin Tang.
For more than three decades, Yi-Noo taught Chemistry at one of the best programs in the nation, helping dozens of students earn their doctorates and winning an unprecedented two teaching awards. He was a popular professor, and near the end of his teaching career, he co-directed the Freshman Chemistry Department.
He was passionate about competitive contract bridge, and was ranked as a master-level player. He loved Chinese history and literature, as well as writing stories in Chinese and English. He was well-known by family and friends as a fantastic storyteller. He volunteered for the Democratic Party and was a delegate to the national convention.
He was a dedicated family man, supporting his mother and five siblings on his scholarship money. His father had died shortly before he was accepted by KU. He served as the anchor in America, helping his family of origin as well as Eugenia’s family to immigrate to the United States.
Yi-Noo retired at the age of 62 and spent many of his remaining years enjoying trips to China and other destinations. He continued to play an active role in the lives of his children and grandchildren. And to the day of his death he was very dedicated to his vegetable gardens and fruit trees.
Yi-Noo is survived by wife Eugenia, son Irwin, and daughter Irene, as well as Irwin’s wife Wei Huang, Irene’s husband Tien Ko, and Irene and Tien’s four children: Allison and triplets Caiden, Cameron, and Carson.
Yi-Noo is also survived by siblings Edmund Yut-Man Tong, Yat Him Tong, Stella Yat May Tong, Eunice Yat Lee Tong, and Paul Yat-Ching Tong.
Yi-Noo is preceded by his parents, Tang Su and Chiu Chau. He is also preceded by brother Albert Yat Chu Tong of Hong Kong and three siblings who died in childhood.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the World Food Program (https://www.wfpusa.org/)
Viewing will be on Friday January 4, 2019 at Winford Funeral Home at 8514 Tybor Drive, Houston, Texas 77074.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday January 5, 2019 at the Chinese Baptist Church at 900 Brogden Street, Houston, Texas. Burial will occur at the College Station Cemetery afterward (contact Irwin Tang at atxcounseling@gmail.com for more information).
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I was a new real estate broker in 1966 and handled the purchase of Yi-Noo’s family home on Francis Drive in College Sta…
I was a new real estate broker in 1966 and handled the purchase of Yi-Noo’s family home on Francis …
I was a new real estate broker in 1966 and handled the purchase …
Please speak freely about my father and his life and his role in your life. Thank you.
Yi-Noo's son,
Irwin Tang
Yi-Noo's son,
Irwin Tang
Please speak freely about my father and his life and his role in your life. Thank you.
Yi-Noo's s…
Yi-Noo's s…
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