Kunkai Yan

Kunkai Yan (78) was an outgoing and warm husband, father, brother, grandpa, and friend to many throughout his life. He passed away peacefully, but unexpectedly in his sleep on June 24, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Born on October 25, 1945 in Hebei, China, as the eldest son to Liji Yan and Shurui Zhang, he had a love for learning and excelled academically and socially, even becoming the class president in middle school. In 1965, he moved to Beijing, where he studied chemistry and chemical engineering at Peking University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in 1970.

In 1971, Kunkai met his wife, Liansheng Bai. They would take walks together around the campus at Peking University or at parks nearby, talking, and admiring the scenery. Kunkai and Liansheng were married on August 22, 1973 in Beijing.

Throughout his life, Kunkai was an avid academic. He worked as an organic chemistry professor at Peking University, sharing his knowledge and love of learning with his students. In 1985, Kunkai traveled abroad to Zürich, Switzerland as a visiting scholar for a year. There, he was able to tour Switzerland, Germany, and France, immersing himself in both research relating to his studies, and the culture of each area. Being a lifelong learner, he picked up languages everywhere he went, impressing friends and family with snippets of German, Japanese, and an impressive amount of English that he was able to continuously learn and retain throughout his life.

Outside of his studies, Kunkai was an expert ping pong player and enthusiast who shared his passion with both experienced players and beginners alike. Ping pong was one of the activities that gave him the most energy and enjoyment in life. He had many friends and family both in Beijing and Salt Lake with whom he shared his passion for ping pong. People could often find him cheering while holding a long rally with the regulars. He could adapt to many styles, including being able to ease beginners into ping pong. His steady serves, predictable style, and enthusiastic encouragement when playing with beginners allowed many beginners to gain a feeling for the ball.

In 2006, Kunkai and his wife came to Salt Lake City, Utah, following his daughter, Yan Yan, and her husband. From then on, Kunkai and his wife would fly often between Salt Lake City and Beijing. In Salt Lake, he and his wife would cook delicious meals for his family and care for his grandchildren - picking mulberries for them during the summer, taking them out to play, teaching them ping pong, and buying them gifts. He also enjoyed biking, hiking, and taking the bus with his friends to go shopping, as well as taking daily evening walks with his wife.

Kunkai always cared about his family and was extremely generous. He could always be seen helping with meals, or lending a hand on whatever project the family was working on. His care for his wife was evident too. He would spend late nights talking with, and giving his wife massages and taking care of her. The night before he unexpectedly passed, he still thought of his wife, asking if she wanted a massage or if he could be of any help to her, as well as making plans for the next day.

Kunkai was a selfless, generous individual who will be greatly missed by his family, relatives, and friends.

Kunkai is survived by his wife, Liansheng Bai; his daughter Yan Yan and her husband Huaizhong Pan; his younger sister Fengnuan Yan; and his grandchildren Sherry and Richard.

Kunkai was preceded in passing by his parents Liji Yan and Shurui Zhang; his brothers-in-law Chaisheng Bai and Liangsheng Bai, his nephew Ming Bai; and his younger brother Zhanzhong Yan, who passed away only a month prior.

Visitation for Kunkai will be held Monday, July 1, 2024 from 9:30-11:30 AM at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 Highland Drive, Millcreek, Utah, 84106.