Obituary of Xiba Huang

Mr. Xiba Huang passed away on July 4, 2009 at the age of 88. He was a prominent professor, devoted husband, and a caring father and grandfather. Born in Guang Xi Province, China, on November 2, 1921, to a merchant family, Xiba traveled with his parents around China for most of his childhood. He is the brother of Choung , Xi-yue, and Hei-man. At the age of 21, he graduated from Guang Xi University. In 1946, Xiba came to the U.S. to study at the University of Washington where he received his Masters Degree in Chemistry. In 1951, after a year of internship in the U.S., Xiba returned to China by ship via Europe to begin his life-long teaching career, starting at the University of Wuhan where he met his wife, Po Kuang Liu. They married in 1954. The following year, the couple moved to Nanjing where Xiba became the Dean of the Department of Forest Products Chemistry at Nanjing Forestry University. Over the next 37 years, Xiba made significant contributions to education and to the scientific community in China. He mentored many students who followed his footsteps by impacting society in various fields and improved the professional and social network between China and the United States. He was an editor of the Ci Hai , a premier Chinese encyclopedia. He developed the extraction process of tree resin for paper production and perfected the techniques in manufacturing herbicide. Xiba received many awards for his research including first prize for National Technological Achievement in 1984. He retired at the age of 70 in 1992 and returned to the United States to reunite with his family. He lived his remaining years in Washington State. His marriage with Po Kuang lasted a lifetime, spanning 50 years. The family nurtured three children: Jing, Wei, and Yue; and five grandchildren: Maria, Justin, Helena, Daniel, and Michael. He was a gentle soul who shared his love for music and films including his favorites: Lawrence Welk, Casablanca , and Singin in the Rain with his family. He was an avid follower of global events and an enthusiast of gourmet foods from around the world. He cherished his friends and felt fortunate to be in their company. We are deeply grieved at his abrupt departure. He shall be with us always.