Obituary of Cheng-Yin Cheng

Cheng-Yin Cheng, 85, of Stroudsburg, PA passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on June 8, 2015 at Moses Taylor Hospital, Scranton, PA. Dr. Cheng was born in Shinpu, Taiwan to Shu-Hsien and Hsi-Mei (Chen) Cheng. He endured both the Japanese occupation of Taiwan as well as the dictatorship that replaced it after WWII. In 1953, he was one of four students selected from the entire country to earn a scholarship to attend Berea College in Kentucky. He subsequently attended the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign earning Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. A lifelong educator, he taught chemistry at Wilson College (1960-1961), Shippensburg State College (1961-1965), and Ithaca College (1965-1968). Ultimately, he served as professor at East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, PA where he taught for 27 years and retired in 1995. Throughout his career, he conducted research projects and published academic papers contributing to the fields of analytical chemistry and environmental sciences. As the first member of the Cheng family in the United States, he shepherded numerous nieces and nephews to new lives in America, providing support and guidance as they pursued university educations. As was his nature, he also mentored and assisted his grandnieces and grandnephews as well as numerous international students with their educational aspirations. He is survived by Hui-Tzu Kay (Lai) Cheng, his wife of 43 years. He is also survived by his brother, Chen-Tung Cheng, nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews. He was preceded in death by Mary Eleanor Harlow, his wife, Chen-Chi Cheng, brother, and Chen-Chao Cheng, brother. Dr. Cheng was a member of the American Chemical Society, American Society of Agronomy, American Water Works Association, and Sigma Xi. He was also a long standing member of the Taiwan Hakka Association for Public Affairs in North America (HAPA-NA) and Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA). He was an advocate of Hakka heritage and a staunch supporter of Taiwanese cause and sovereignty. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at the St. John Lutheran Church, 107 7th St., Honesdale, PA. Interment will follow immediately at the St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Honesdale. PA. Friends may visit at the church on Saturday between 9:30 AM-10:30 AM. The funeral is arranged by Arthur A. Bryant Funeral Home.