Dongyi Yao

Dongyi Yao passed away peacefully on June 26, 2024. Dongyi was born January 25, 1943 in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China. He was a gifted student since childhood and always ranked among the top in grades. He has a variety of interests and hobbies, and is good at track and field, basketball, and music.

In September 1960, after graduating from Suzhou Senior High School, he was admitted to the Department of Precision Instruments of Tianjin University, China. During college, he was a violinist in the university band.

In August 1965, after graduating from college, he was assigned to the Automation Office of the Automation Research Institute of Lanzhou Chemical Industry Company at that time.

In September 1978, he was admitted to a postgraduate program in the Department of Electronic Engineering of Hefei University of Technology. After completing his studies, he took a teaching position in the Department of Computer Science of Hefei University of Technology.

From July 1985 to August 1986, he went to Stuttgart University in Germany as a visiting scholar, engaging in software engineering research and development. After returning to China, he continued to teach in the Department of Computer Science of Hefei University of Technology and was a supervisor for doctoral students.

In 1987, he took a teaching position at the Department of Computer Science at Qingdao University in China and became an associate professor in August 1988. He retired in 2003 and was rehired to continue teaching after retirement.

In 2013, he settled in the United States to take care of his grandchildren. His hobbies in his later years were playing table tennis and listening to classical music.

Dong Yi was baptized in the Chinese Christian Church of Northern Virginia in 2004 while visiting his son in the United States. In 2017, he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Since May 2024, Dong Yi's condition has worsened. Around noon on June 26, 2024, Dong Yi rested peacefully in the arms of the Lord in his sleep. He is survived by his beloved wife Huiyun Li. Loving father of Edward Yuanhe Yao and Yuan Yao, Cherished grandfather of David, Aron, Mingxin, Priscilla, Zachary and Christopher. Dear brother of 6 siblings: Dongliang (deseased), Lijuan, Dongshan, Dongquan, Lizhen, and Dongyuan.

The cremation will take place at All Souls Crematory 72-02 Astoria Blvd., East Elmhurst on Monday at 11:00am.