Obituary for Yang the Elder.
Yang the Elder died at the age of 77 on February 8th, 2025. He would not approve of this obituary.
Mourning his death are his two older brothers, but his favorite (and only) child misses him the most.
He was born in Yangzhou, China, though, six months later, his parents scooped him and his three older brothers up and left the country. They settled in Taiwan and it was there that he met his future wife (who preceded him in death).
After graduating from college in Taichung with high marks and completing mandatory military service, he was accepted at the University of Detroit to earn a Master’s degree in applied math. This was his ticket to the United States to pursue the American Dream.
He was a computer programmer before it was cool. As one of the few people who knew how to operate mainframe computers, which occupied entire rooms, he had a productive career in systems programming. This amazing immigrant worked at major American corporations like IBM, Amtrak, Boeing, and McDonnell Douglas. It was with enthusiasm and wonder that he introduced his family to the “World Wide Web” in the early 1990s. He continued to be an early adopter of computer technology, which is why he used emojis with ease up until the last year of his life.
He loved the idea of America. He believed in and defended democracy. After the Tiananmen Square Massacre, he took his family to the federal building in Los Angeles to protest the Chinese government’s actions. Later, during what started out as a peaceful family picnic in Yosemite Valley at his favorite national park, he ended up arguing with tourists from China about how the Chinese government was wrong to kill their own people.
He appreciated many aspects of American culture: He never missed a senior discount shopping day. Music by Simon and Garfunkel, the Beatles, Judy Collins, and Stevie Wonder brought him pleasure. He continued to shout encouragement at the Washington Redskins (now Commanders) on TV even after the family moved to California. His collection of Converse shoes (all purchased on sale) was spectacular, particularly a maroon pair with matching polka-dot laces.
Kindness and courtesy were important to him: He learned the names of people who helped him and greeted them by name whenever he saw them. He routinely gave small snacks to familiar grocery clerks, building janitors, and the barber. He said “thank you” whenever the opportunity arose.
Lastly, he enjoyed being outside and taking long walks. If a tree was bearing fruit, he’d casually pluck one from a branch, peel it open, and taste it. He could identify all the skyscrapers in downtown Seattle by name. He always looked for life in the water and among the clouds.
Per his wishes, there will not be a funeral or memorial.
If you live in or around Seattle, his favorite parks included the Washington Arboretum, Seward Park, and Myrtle Edwards Park. Regardless of where you are, in his memory, take a walk outside and marvel at the trees, water, and sky.