Li Chang

Born on January 1, 1941 in Beijing China, Li Chang grew up during a time of great social and historical change in the world. She attended Fangshan County No. 1 Elementary School and later Beijing Girls’ No. 1 Middle School, where her academic excellence and curiosity for science began to shine.

In 1959, she entered the Beijing Institute of Architectural Engineering (now Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture), majoring in Electrical Automation, where she met her future husband, Pengdi Han. The two married in September 1967, beginning a lifelong partnership grounded in love, perseverance, and shared purpose.

Li Chang devoted nearly four decades to scientific innovation and research. Her professional journey began at the Beijing Water Supply and Drainage Design Institute of the Ministry of Construction (1964–1970), followed by positions at the China Non-Metallic Minerals Research Institute (1970–1980) and the Beijing Artificial Crystal Research Institute (1980–1988). Her pioneering work in the synthesis of micron-sized artificial diamonds led her to hold two national patents as an inventor — a rare achievement for a woman scientist of her generation.

From 1988 to 2002, Li Chang continued her research in the United States at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), where she helped develop ultra-high-pressure experimental equipment at the renowned Materials Research Laboratory (MRL).

After retiring in 2002, Li Chang and her husband settled in Renton/Newcastle, Washington, where she embraced a peaceful and fulfilling life surrounded by family, nature, faith, and love. She remained deeply devoted to her Christian beliefs, actively studying the Bible and serving her church community.

Li Chang will be remembered for her brilliance, generosity, kindness, and steadfast faith. Her legacy lives through her loving husband Pengdi Han, her daughter Helen , and grandchildren, and the many lives she touched through her generosity and wisdom.

🌸 常丽悼文

常丽女士，慈爱的妻子、母亲、祖母、科学家和虔诚的基督徒，于 2025 年10月5号中秋节前夜， 在美国华盛顿州 Bellevue 安详辞世，享年 84 岁。

常丽生于 1941 年 1 月 1 日，地点为北京妇产医院。她在北京度过童年与青年时期，就读于房山县第一小学和北京女一中，自幼聪慧勤奋，对科学充满热爱。

1959 年，她考入北京建筑工业学院电气自动化专业（今北京建筑大学），在求学期间结识了她一生的伴侣——韩芃棣先生。二人于 1967 年 9 月结为连理，相濡以沫 58 载，共同走过风雨岁月。

常丽女士将近 40 年的职业生涯奉献于科研与工程事业。她先后在建工部北京给水排水设计院（1964–1970）、中国非金属矿研究所（1970–1980）以及中国北京人工晶体研究院（1980–1988）任职。她在微米级人造金刚石合成领域取得了突破性成果，并以发明人身份拥有两项国家专利——这是那个时代女性科研工作者中极为罕见的成就。

1988 年至 2002 年间，她赴美在伊利诺伊大学香槟分校 (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) 材料研究实验室 (MRL) 从事超高压试验设备研发工作，为国际科研领域贡献卓著。

2002 年退休后，她与丈夫定居于华盛顿州 Renton/Newcastle，在大自然与家人环绕中度过宁静而充实的晚年。她笃信上帝，热心研读圣经，积极参与教会活动，生命充满信仰与感恩。

常丽女士一生勤勉谦逊，温良仁慈，坚强而平和。她的智慧、爱心与奉献精神，将永远铭刻在家人和友人心中。