I spoke with Reian almost every night while we worked overnight shifts together at a hospice several years ago. We both planned to attend medical school and quickly bonded over our shared challenges and aspirations. Reian was incredibly kind, compassionate, and genuine. He will be deeply missed, and I will never forget him.

It’s taken our family a long time to recover from this most tragic loss and it is now time for us to say how much Reian meant to us. Reian was my son’s best friend. As they came to know one another at City High School, and then roomed together at University of Michigan, we heard so much about Reian’s extraordinary goodness. They egged one another on to new physical, intellectual and emotional feats.  Reian was as important to who my son is now as we (his parents) are. And words cannot express how grateful we are to him and his family for sharing his enormous good spirit with us.

On January 26th of this year, I met my nephew, Reian, for the first time in my life. It was his first visit to Taipei, Taiwan, to reunite with my family here. Though we only spent three short days together, my family and I instantly grew fond of Reian—such a kind, warm, and thoughtful young man, who excelled academically, and I felt immensely proud of him! 

However, his sudden passing is beyond heartbreaking and difficult for us to accept. It is yet another reminder of how imperfect this world is. Peace and happiness in the present are never guaranteed—they should be cherished and deeply appreciated.

I pray that God and the Bodhisattvas guide Reian and his dearest cousin Lynh, who tragically passed away with him, to heaven, where they may live in eternal peace, free from worries. I believe Reian’s pure and kind spirit has transformed into a protective force, watching over his cherished parents, grandparents, and younger sister.

Reian will forever live in our hearts.

We had the pleasure of knowing Reian during his school years in Grand Rapids.  We first met him when our son was assigned to the same AYSO soccer team as Reian.  The boys quickly became friends.  Over time, we came to know Ray, Sam and Reichel as well.  During grade school Reian was often in our home or out playing in the yard.  He was a very easy and welcomed guest.  Fond memories often return of the sound of the kids laughing as they kicked a ball around, played ping pong or video games, swung golf clubs (sometimes inside the house), played guitar or battled with airsoft guns (eye protection required!), and competed while bowling for strikes at Eastbrook Lanes.  We saw some of Reian’s passion for photography when he kindly took pictures of our daughter before high school graduation.  Always kind and helpful, Reian helped us all learn a few Mandarin words and phrases.  I recall taking the kids out, as the only adult, to get fast food in China.  When it came time to order, my Madarin and pointing was not cutting it and Reian stepped in to serve as our translator.  I figure he got it right, everyone got exactly what they ordered. Reian gave his all to everything he pursued, always wanting to do well.  Reian would remain controlled and respectful even when the other kids were acting up.  Rarely does a person have great passion, kindness, helpfulness, positive energy and attitude.  We remember Reian having all of that and more.  No matter what he set his mind to, Reian seemed to rise to the top with a kind and humble spirit.  He is truly missed.   
Tim and Connie Berg

I am one of the pediatricians at West Arbor Pediatrics in Ann Arbor who worked with Reian during his time with us.  I was most impressed with Reian's kindness and willingness to help with anything that needed to be done.  He was so gentle with the kids and had an amazing smile.  We all knew he would be an amazing physician in whatever field he ultimately chose and that he had such a bright future ahead of him.

  I remember Reian riding his bike to work in the morning and arriving with such a positive attitude.  I am heartbroken at this tragic, inconceivable loss of such an amazing young man. I have made a donation to FreeBikes4Kids, a Detroit charity that provides free bicycles to children, in Reian's memory.  

 I hope that you, his parents and family, can find some measure of peace knowing that Reian will not be forgotten and that he had such a positive impact on all who knew him.  

With deepest sympathy,
Wendy Roberts

I only met Reian a very few times, but I remember how impressed I was with such a nice young man and what a nice group of friends they all were. My sincere condolences and may the blessing of his life continue in the lives of his friends and family.

I am deeply saddened to see one of my best friends pass away. Reian was always the person I looked up to. He was always talented and worked hard on activities he deeply enjoyed. Reian always knew how to care for everyone and made sure the people around him feel happy. I am very proud to know that he eventually got into med school. I know it was his dream to get in and pursue to become a doctor.

I really miss the time I went to sleep over at his house. I always enjoyed the times we would stay up very late to play some video games. I also miss the time I would come over after school all of the time to hang out and do random stuff. I enjoy the random jokes we would come up with and lay there laughing til our stomachs hurt. I really wish we had the chance to hang out more while we were in college. I will always miss him. He will always be like a brother to me.

I met Reian my first year at UofM through HSSP, and we remained great friends throughout all my years in college. Reian is truly one of the most intelligent,  hardworking, and genuinely kind person I have had to honor to know and become friends with. 

Sharing the same major, we had so many classes together and studied together all the time, helping each other achieve our goals to go to medical school while deepening our friendship. We would trudge through difficult organic chemistry questions together, and spend late nights in Chem 1300 studying biophysics and biochemistry. Reian was always so helpful, positive, and enthusiastic when we studied together, and I always looked forward to working alongside him. Reian and I were also both SLC facilitators for organic chemistry, and I had the chance to see him lead a study group, in which Reian again showcased his patience, kindness, and unwavering desire to help others. At graduation, wearing our gowns and cords, a culmination of all our hard work, I felt so proud standing alongside him, knowing I wouldn’t have made it here without him. 

Reian and I shared so many wonderful memories together. From bowling at Revel and Roll—in which Reian really had some talent—to him bringing his cast-iron pan so we could make KBBQ together at home, him sharing his Korean R&B playlist (which I still listen to fervently), celebrating birthday parties together, or Reian being so willing to take exceptional photos of us and our friends (which is still the professional headshot I use now), I am so incredibly lucky to have been friends with him, and grateful to have known his talent, kindness, and positivity. 

Rest in peace Reian, and my sincerest condolences to your family. I am honored to have known you, and I will miss you so much.

It’s been several years since I’ve seen Reian, but I remember him as funny, dedicated, and warm. I want to share the memories of him I had from the time I knew him in high school; he was hardworking and popular (which I’m sure held true after high school, as well!).

I know all of this is only a fragment of who he was, but I hope it helps hold the memory of him. 

We were frequent academic collaborators in high school - once we were on the phone together for nearly two hours on a random weekday trying to formulate a thesis for a paper. He was smart, but more importantly, adaptable - he thought things through from beginning to end, and he was very tenacious. He was always happy to help. After those hours of talking, we eventually figured it out. I can still recall the relief after hanging up: thank god for Reian, I thought - even if we’re wrong, at least now we’ll be wrong together! For the record, we were right - with his help, I aced the essay (and of course, so did he). 

We were constantly texting and calling each other for academic help - test prep, essay questions, everything you could think of. He was who I went to when I had a question, and I always gave him my best effort when he came back with one of his own. I can’t tell you how many texts I have from him offering encouragement, advice, and congratulations.

Back in high school, he was rarely seen without John or Ted nearby - usually both, and usually laughing about something or other.

He threw a truly great party right around graduation - he invited the whole class and it seemed like nearly everyone showed up. No one in our grade had really done anything like that, but Reian did, and I’m grateful he gave everyone such a great memory of our last year of high school together. He spoke fondly of his sister in the way brothers do, and it always seemed he had a great respect for his family. 

Rest in peace, Reian, and thanks for always lending an ear.

I met Reian through golf. I've been playing every Sunday with his father for the last several years and Reian joined us a dozen times or so, mostly in the last year. There's a saying that you can tell a lot about a man by watching him play golf. I believe this is true and this is what I learned about Reian.
He loved the game and wanted to play well. He was good but recognized he didn't get to play enough to be as good as he could be. As a result he would have great holes and then bad holes. That's golf. What stood out to me was he never let his last shot affect his next shot. If he hit a bad one then the next shot was just an opportunity to do better. And no matter the result of a shot, or a hole, or a round, he was always full of joy. He appreciated that he was on a quiet walk with his father for a few hours and he obviously savored it. Conversation with him was always engaging and I learned much about the process of becoming a doctor.
When I think back on the rounds I played with him one thing stands out. Every single time I had fun, which I certainly can't say about all of the rounds of golf I play.  I had fun because his joy and passion for golf and life was infectious. The fact that I often played well when he was in the group should be a lesson for me. Play with more joy. Think of a bad shot only as a chance to do better next time. Savor the time I get to spend with family and friends more.
I am grateful to have been able to spend time with Reian. He was an outstanding young man. I will miss it.

Reian, you will be in our hearts for ever!

We were lucky to have Reian in the lab for 10 weeks in the summer of 2019.  He is such a bright and ambitious young man and is loved by everyone!

I am from Garden Grove, CA, and I am Lynh's uncle. I am truly heartbroken by the loss of Reian. His passing, alongside Lynh, is a tragedy that I can hardly put into words. Reian was such a kind, intelligent, and driven young man. He had such an incredible future ahead of him. His outstanding MCAT score and acceptance into medical school were a true testament to his dedication, intelligence, and passion for helping others. He worked so hard to achieve his dream of becoming a doctor. It’s devastating that his life was cut short so suddenly, and my heart breaks for the bright future he’ll never get to experience. Because Reian lived so far away, it was only in the past few years that I had the privilege of getting to know him better. During that time, we grew closer, and I will always treasure the memories I have with him. He truly touched my life in such a special way, and I am deeply grateful for the time we spent together. I will never forget something Reian once told me about his passion for becoming a doctor. He said it wasn't for the money, but because he truly wanted to help people. That conversation deeply inspired me, and it’s something I will carry with me always. It’s a testament to his character and the kind of person he was. I've cried more than I ever thought possible, and the thought of Reian and Lynh brings tears to my eyes. The pain of losing them both is unbearable. In times like these, it's difficult to find the right words, but I take comfort in knowing that Reian and Lynh are together, their spirits forever connected. Though their lives were tragically cut short, their impact on the world and the people who loved them will never fade. I will hold onto the beautiful memories we shared and honor their legacies by carrying forward their kindness, ambition, and love for others. Rest in peace, Reian and Lynh. You will forever be in my heart! 💕💖😘

Sam and family 
I am so very sorry for your loss.  My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this very difficult time.

Tish

I was lucky to have known Reian while attending UM and connecting through HSSP. His academic determination was inspiring and his joy was contagious. I have a fond memory of him laughing so hard at a joke that he fell over and somehow managed to snap an outlet cover in my apartment in half in the process, which only made him and our friends laugh even harder. He will be dearly missed by his fellow HSSP-ers ❤️

I got to know Reian during my first year at UMich. One of my favorite memories with him was when we got to travel to Texas together for our alternate spring break trip. The whole week he brought smiles and laughs to the whole crew. He’ll be missed by his HSSP community.

Reian, you were the type of person who could light up any room. I looked up to you—honestly, you were incredibly smart and kind. When we started working together at PPMI, I never imagined we'd become so close. We spent hours talking when we didn’t have patients, laughing at the most ridiculous jokes. I loved how comfortable you felt opening up to us. You’d share stories about your family dinners and how excited you were to go golfing with your dad. You had a love for spicy food and trying new restaurants—there was that one week you ordered Soho Sushi every day!  I’m so thankful for your friendship, and I’ll miss you dearly but you will never be forgotten Dr. Zhang.

Reian is and will always be the sweetest, purest  person I have ever met. From interviewing him as a manager to hiring and training him all the way to becoming his friend, he was sweet through and through. Some of my favorite memories are hanging out and getting food/drinks and annoying Reichel our DD, going to the corn maze, giving each other advice, and all the fun times at work.

In only three weeks of knowing me, he got me a birthday card and a cheesecake. He brought it in to work, but he set the door alarm off first, so I ran to go disarm it before it began blaring the loud burglary alarm. He had the cheesecake in his hand, trying to hide it. I disarmed the alarm, and then he left the cheesecake in the corridor because he didn’t want me to see it since he would just go back for it later. But I had already saw it, so I pointed it out, and he was like, “Awww man. I was hoping you wouldn’t see it.” One girl said he’d been planning that for a while. I was confused why somebody so new would give someone a present, but it genuinely just attested to his kindness and consideration for others. And I would later on surprise him on his birthday as well with his favorite sour candies and a card!

When he got his first med school acceptance, we celebrated with cupcakes. 

Reian and I would stay up extra late to call and text everyone after going out to make sure they all got home safe. Even going as far as waking up at the same time in the morning to both spam call a friend to make sure that she didn’t miss her kid’s soccer game in the morning. We were both the cautious type always making sure everyone was doing the right thing even when having fun. 

A truly great human with an amazing work ethic and genuine desire to help others. Reian was the epitome of kindness and curiosity.  Although we only knew each other for seven months, we shared a lot of laughs.

Reian was such a talented and kind individual. We met in 10th grade when I transferred to the same high school as him. He was always such a positive light in a school where most of us were overwhelmed with projects and homework. We both shared an interest in medicine, so although we went to different colleges, we stayed in touch for the first couple of years and shared excitement when we both got our first pharmacy jobs. I always felt that he would achieve his dream of becoming a doctor. 

A fun memory I have of Reian was at one of our assembly’s. I believe it was our senior year and all the boys decided to wear crop tops. Most of them either ripped their shirt or cut it in half with scissors, but Reian showed up with his perfectly hemmed across! No strings or loose fabric. We all got a good laugh out of it and I will always appreciate how true to himself he was.

I had the pleasure of getting to know Reian through orchestra at City Middle-High, where he excelled at cello and piano. Reian always had a smile on his face, either from the music we were playing or from the side conversations the cello section would be having. He was always kind and eager to help anyone out. His family will be in my thoughts.

Reian was such a light! In high school, we worked together to help run the premedical club, and even in college at UM, he always made a point to say hi whenever we crossed paths on such a huge campus. Although we weren’t very close, Reian’s kindness and warmth touched the lives of so many, including mine. Sending my deepest condolences and many prayers to his loved ones during this difficult time.

Reian and I went to high school together and he always amazed me by his dedication to helping everyone feel included and he is one of the most intellectual people I know. I am grateful to have met and had friendship with such an amazing human being and I am so sorry for the family and the pain they are experiencing. Reian was an incredible person with a great sense of self and was always so kind. He will truly be missed. -Veronica Gilbert

OBITUARY

Reian An Zhang

October 10, 2000 – February 21, 2025

Peek Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services