Yuang Yio Yang

Yuang Yio Yang (楊永堯）was born on August 25, 1916, and passed away peacefully in his sleep a couple weeks after celebrating his 102nd birthday. He is survived by his three children Cheng, Ping, and Li; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

After graduating from college with a degree in electrical engineering in 1942, he joined the China Air Force to fight against Japan’s invasion during WWII.

In 1949, he followed Chiang Kai-shek to Taiwan with his wife, 4-year old son, and 1-year old baby daughter. His third son was born in Taiwan.

While serving in the Air Force in Taiwan, he helped in the acquisition and maintenance of jet fighters, such as the F84, and F86, from the United States. He was the initial project planner of the IDF fighter jet, a jet designed and built by Taiwan. A version of the IDF he initially started is still in service today.

After life-long service with the Air Force, he was a professor teaching electrical engineering courses in college for 15 years. He also directed his passionate energy into collecting antiques and published books about them. At age 88, he started a new project of creating a garden oasis from wilderness. He not only exhibited physical strength, but mental strength as well. He traded stocks online until the age of 98, and enjoyed playing Mahjong with friends and family. Three years ago, at 99, he moved across the country to Henderson, Nevada to be surrounded by his three children. At 102, though it was difficult for him to even stand, he insisted on walking visitors to the door after every visit. Yuang Yio Yang lived with the same enduring fight to the very end.