Ximing Zheng
Zheng Ximing
I am heartbroken to announce the death of my father, Ximing Zheng. He passed away peacefully at the age of 64, with family members at his side on December 7th, 2022, in Kirkland Washington under Evergreen Hospice Care Center.
He was born in Suzhou, JiangSu, China in November 1958.
Ximing grew up in Suzhou with his parents and three older sisters. He attended HeFei University of Technology (HeFei, China) in 1978 and Electric Power Research Institute (Beijing, China) in 1982. After graduate school, he continued to work eight years in China and decided to come to the United States to pursue his studies at University of Wisconsin – Madison in 1992. Ximing then worked as an electric engineer for various companies in the United States and Canada for about 30 years. Ximing met many of his close friends in university, graduate school, and work.
Ximing was fun loving, hardworking, smart, optimistic, and enjoyed a wide range of hobbies. He loved to play Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) since childhood. He participated in many Xiangqi competitions and won Champion at Chinese Chess National Championship of Canada, Champion at North American Cup Xiangqi Individual Championship, and 10th place at World Xiangqi World Championship. Ximing was given the International Grand Master title by the World Xiangqi Federation. Ximing also enjoyed playing Go and Bridge and often played matches online with his friends.
In his free time, Ximing loved plants and flowers. He surrounded the family rooms with 20+ plants and flowers. He took extra care of the plants by spending lots of time watering and nourishing them.
Ximing was a proud and loving husband and father who enjoyed traveling with his family. He especially enjoyed spending quality time with family and friends at family and friends gatherings.
Ximing is survived by his devoted wife Li Lu, daughter Luxi Zheng, sisters RongHua Zheng, JiHua Zheng, MingHua Zheng and their families.
He fought a formidable battle with Lung Cancer in his last 17 months. Ximing will be greatly missed, fondly remembered and loved forever.
The family would like to thank Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (Fred Hutch) and Evergreen Hospice Care for all of the care and support during this time.
In lieu of sending flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to Fred Hutch Cancer Center.
Donate online at: https://www.seattlecca.org/about/donate-and-volunteer/make-a-donation
28 Responses to “Ximing Zheng”
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Ximing was so easygoing and always had a smile on his face. I will remember him as a Xiang Qi master, a great neighbor and colleague, a nature lover and a brave fighter who completed 21 cycles of treatments. I’m grateful that I had a chance to speak to him to know his journey in last 17 months and his decision to move into hospice. May his soul find rest now and he will always be missed.
今天我们全家怀着万分悲痛的心情，沉痛哀悼郑熙明弟弟的不幸病逝，并向他的遗体作最后的告别。无情的病魔夺走了您年轻的生命，您在17个月里，顽强地与疾病作斗争，表现出了坚强的意志力和毅力，做了各种治疗，还是医治无效，弟妹陆莉和女儿茜茜全力照顾您，我们远在他乡的姐姐们感恩感谢你们的尽心尽力照顾关怀。
熙明弟弟您的一生，是努力勤奋，积极向上拼搏的一生；您善良聪明，睿智豁达，勤劳踏实地工作，不断进取学习的一生；您还是谦虚低调做人的一生；爱好广泛，荣誉奖杯亮点无数的一生；对父母姐姐家人们及下一代关怀备至的好兄弟。
相约退休后，再回苏州聚，看家乡的美景，品家乡的美食，但您失约了，亲人们两眼泪汪汪，难以控制悲痛心情，寝食难安。您的音容笑貌声音，总是出现在眼前，只能不断翻看我们的视频合影和2017年苏州相聚时的合影照片。您永远活在我们的心里。
缅怀熙明弟弟，天堂没有病痛，愿您仙逝安息，我们在人间生活安康，活成您所希望看到的样子！
亲爱的熙明弟安息吧！我们三位姐姐永远怀念你！
追思人：郑蓉华，郑吉华，郑明华
Hi Ximing,
Thank you for all of your help to me and our coworkers at GE. I remember often seeing you in your small office, working late, yet you were always full of vitality and had your loud, booming voice. Thats how I will always remember you.
I am so touched, moved, and proud!!! when I heard how in the end, you chose to bravely face the disease head-on instead of burdening your family. But I am 100% not surprised. You are truly a master in xiang qi and in real life. I respect you so much, and I hope you knew that from our interactions at work.
Thank you for setting an example for the rest of us, when we must also face death eventually. Until we meet again,
– Tommy
Dear Li and Luxi,
My sincerest condolences for the loss of your loved husband and father, Ximing. My heart goes with you at this difficult time.
Ximing, there is no word I can express how you are missed. Your smiling face will be remembered forever.
With sincerely sympathies,
Zhang Gang
It’s so heartbreaking that we lost Mr. XiMing Zheng, a good friend of ours, a graceful colleague, and an international grand master of Xiangqi (Chinese chess). XiMing lives in our heart forever!
我跟熙明老师虽然没有太多工作上的交集，但是每次跟他交谈都印象深刻。他给我的印象永远是面带微笑，谦虚和善。后来从其他同事那里得知他是象棋冠军，真心佩服这位深藏不露的大师。我很幸运地在熙明老师离开的前两天见了他一面，即使躺在病床上，他脸上的笑容并没有消失。不管熙明老师现在在哪里，他永远是我心中的象棋大师。
My wife Joan and I are deeply saddened by the passing of Ximing, my long time colleague and friend. Our heartfelt condolences for your loss.
The first time I met Ximing was in 1982, 40 years ago at the Graduate School of Electric Power Research Institute in Beijing, China. He was best known for his high intelligence and unbeatable skill of Chinese Chess. After the graduate school, we both joined the same division in the Institute and shared the same office. I had the privilege to work with him in the late 1980’s on some major projects to modernize the Chinese electric power grids. Ximing was smart, effective and hardworking . He was also a very nice and pleasant person to work with. In 1990, We both came to the US to study, in different universities. I have been working in the Seattle area since graduation and Ximing eventually moved to the same area and worked for the same company I used to work for. We had many many Christmas and New Year parties. The last time we partied at my home was in February 2020 to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Then came the COVID pandemic and we all stayed home since. Last summer Ximing called me to tell me about his diagnosis. He was very calm and stayed very positive during the treatments. Ximing was very optimistic toward the very challenging health situations and he never forgot to play chess and bridge online even in his final days. He had truly lived his life to the fullest.
Rest in peace my friend and we will miss you dearly.
熙明，
我这一生人能与你认识并成为好朋友是我的荣幸。我们之间的缘分不仅仅是因为象棋，我更尊重你的人品和你为人处事的善良。
还记得我们的是1993年通过ICCS下棋认识的，后来在San Diego 第一次与您与陆莉见面，转眼快30年了。后来你们移民到多伦多，加入了我们多伦多象棋会，又与我同一间公司共事，直至你又移居到西雅图。我们不仅是棋友，同事更是战友。每次我们期会有重要活动，25、 28 、30周年，全加赛，世界赛你都会回多伦多，我们也一起参加过无数国內外的比赛，拿下一个一个的荣誉、奖杯！
其实一直我和李雪想去西雅图探望你们，只是这三年疫情的关系未能成行。想不到2019年在温哥华见面就成永别！
感谢你12/4 和我最后通电话，我和多伦多及各地象棋界的所有朋友都会为你的家人祈福！我们会永远记得你！
你永远的朋友
阮国衡
Dear Ximing,
It’s such a blessing to have had you as a friend in our lives. You were genuine, generous and warm-hearted, always willing to lend a helping hand.
When you called us about the diagnosis of cancer last July, we were so shocked and sad that we couldn’t utter a word. From the other side of the line, you said calmly: You enjoy traveling, right? Life is just like a journey. No matter how much you enjoy it, you still need to go home. Eventually, we will all be leaving here and going home. So, no need to worry and fear.
What you said made us feel better, and also helped us find the answer to the question that long puzzles us: how should one view life and death.
The bravery you demonstrated when fighting against cancer also inspired us and empowered us greatly. We are more ready than before to face difficulties and challenges on the road of the remainder of our lives.
Like the poem:
“When through that one man
A little more love and goodness, a little more light and truth comes into the world,
Then that man’s life
Has had meaning.”
Each of us will carry the love, the goodness, the light, and the truth you brought to the world, and will enlighten more people along our journeys.
We miss you and will see you again someday. Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us. You will be always in our hearts and thoughts….
— Ying and Xing
Dear Grandmaster Ximing,
My prayer and condolence is with your family. Your smile and kindness towards fellow XiangQi players and fans will be forever remembered.
Clement Cheng,
Chief Secretary, Canadian XiangQi Federation
今年感恩节的时候我和太太一起给熙明兄视频，视频里的熙明坐在病床上，鼻子里插着氧气管。除了有些咳嗽之外，他的精神还可以，他说夫人和女儿刚刚都得了新冠，他想在医院多住几天，免得回家夫人和女儿又要辛苦照顾他；他又提到医院吃的不好，有时候还不按时送饭，我们就一起吐槽医院的服务；他说因为血小板下降，有一种化疗药物不得不停下来。我们聊了快20分钟，他一直都很坚强平静，后来看到他有些疲倦，我就劝他休息下次再聊。没想到从此天人永别😭
我和熙明90年代初期相识在美丽的威斯康星大学，我们是同一个系的研究生。系里有一个地下室的计算机房，我常去哪里调程序，注意到一个带眼镜的中国学生也常在哪里呆到很晚。后来我们聊起来，他说他在机房做完作业以后就在哪里下象棋，我很吃惊计算机居然可以下棋，他就嘻嘻地笑着给我解释，这就是我和熙明最初的记忆。
我们上学的时候学开车都是同学之间互相教。我当时单身一个人，身怀车技，经常下了课以教其它同学开车为理由，顺便蹭顿饭吃。当时熙明还不会开车，也就成了我的徒弟。在他们家蹭饭的时候认识了贤惠的陆莉嫂子。记得嫂子的做饭手艺很好，后来熙明车照考下来以后，我还常去他家蹭饭吃。
毕业以后我来硅谷工作，熙明去了圣地牙哥。有一年我和太太一起去圣地亚哥玩，然后我和熙明两家四口人一起开车到拉斯维加斯去玩，我们玩得很开心，熙明教我怎么玩21点，还说第一次玩的人手气好，不过时间久了我记不得我那次是不是真的手气好了。我太太对熙明开朗乐观的性格印象最深，我们私下里聊天她都称熙明”笑眯眯”。后来熙明去了加拿大，再后来又回到美国。我生儿育女，忙于生计，联系就少了，我太太时不时还会说到”现在不知道笑眯眯怎么样了”。
熙明兄病了以后我们有一次聊天，他说他现在信神，面对死亡他会很坦然。现在他已经回到神的怀抱，我们还要在世上继续我们的生活，时不时我们还会想起不知道笑眯眯在那边怎么样了。
熙明，我们大家都会想念你。
铭宁/涂桓
December 12,2022
We are saddened by the loss of Ximing.
We met Ximing at work many years ago. We also saw each other in family and church events. Ximing had always been gentle, kind, and thoughtful to others.
We are impressed by Ximing’s humility with his prestige and honor status as the International Grand Master of Xiangqi.
Ximing will be missed by many colleges and friends he had touched in his wonderful life journey.
Our condolences, thoughts and prayers are with Ximing’s family.
Dear Ximing,
It is so lucky that we were neighbor and colleague.you were smart,talented Xiangqi master and hard working colleague. you won lots of worldwide champions and always smile and humble when talked to you. you were also kind and willing to help people. I was surprised by your call of retirement when was in Albama and more shocked by your call of diagnose of cancer. But when we talked, you were still smiling and calm and did not show any fear. The message received from you later were always positive and optimistic. You were truly master in life. your bravery and courage are lightning us how to face life and death.
Thanks for sharing your valuable life with us. Rest in peace my Dear brother and we miss you and keep you in our hearts!!!
– Jun,Xiaobing
Dear Ximing,
I am lucky to have you in my life so much. I am unlucky to meet you in my life so late. The more stories I hear about you, the more I put the pieces of my feelings to think about you. Words are silent to tell the feelings. Your stories will be shared by your family, your friends, and your colleagues from generation to generation. You are not only living with us, you are also leaving your kindness, generosity, genius, and soft strongness with us. Every single moment with you in my mind, in your family’s heart will support us to get through the hard times, making us stronger, braver, and kinder. I miss you.
Renchang
郑熙明老同学，2018年11月在西雅图一别竟成为永别，我很难受。你善良、聪慧 。我特别佩服你的从容淡定。大学期间一起玩游戏的场面历历在目（合作双人象棋赛上的捣蛋、纸牌记忆游戏大比分输等），是我永远的记忆。我和严仲武为陆莉和你女儿祈福，我们会永远记住你。
Dear Ximing,
It is so Lucky that we were neighbors and colleagues. You were smart, talented Xiqing master and hard working colleague. You won lots of worldwide championship and were smiles and humble when talked to you. You were also kind and always willing to help people. I was surprised by your call of retirement when in Alabama and more shocked by your call of diagnosis of cancer. But when we talked,you were still smiling and calm and didn’t show any signs of fear. The message we received later was always positive and optimistic. You were truly master in life. Your bravery and courage are lightning us how to face life and death.
Thanks for sharing your valuable life, rest in peace our dear brother and we miss you and always keep you in our hearts!!!
– JUN & Xiaobing
Dear Ximing,
It was so lucky that we were neighbors and colleagues. You were smart, talented Xiqing master and hard working colleague. You won lots of worldwide championship and were smiles and humble when talked to you. You were also kind and always willing to help people. I was surprised by your call of retirement when in Alabama and more shocked by your call of diagnosis of cancer, but when were talked, you were still smiling and calm and didn’t show any sign of any fear. The message received later were still positive and optimistic. You were truly master in life. Your bravery and courage are lightning us how to face life and death.
Thanks for sharing your valuable life, rest in peace our dear brother, we miss you and always keep you in our hearts!!!
-JUN & Xiaobing
同学四年熙明是公认的才子，也曾一起爬过黄山，扒过挂车。近一年多来几乎每周六都一起桥牌，最后一次是上个星期一。期间也聊过病情，总是那么的从容，淡定，从不抱怨。只是担心昏迷后拖累家人还申请了安乐死。熙明是真的顽童（桥牌网名棋牌老顽童）精于此道从人间玩到天堂，一路玩好！本来无一物何处惹尘埃。
熙明是我们的好同学好朋友。他不仅聪明睿智、博学多艺，更是关爱同学、乐于助人，2016年我们一家三口去西雅图旅游，受到熙明和陆莉的热情款待，度过了一段开心顺意的时光！在与病魔抗争的艰难时期，熙明积极乐观，有信仰很坚强，跟我们的几次微信通话中总是面带微笑、从容淡定，还叮嘱我们保重身体！他的不幸逝世，我们深感悲痛！在物理世界里，我们跟熙明永别了，但他的音容相貌永远印在我们的心中，熙明同学千古！此外，陆莉同学为关心关爱熙明的身心健康付出了巨大努力，希望你节哀顺变，保重身体！维江和金玲深切悼念熙明同学！
郑熙明同学离开大家，我们惋惜、哀痛，在学校时的身影还历历在目，音容笑貌仿佛还在昨天，记得：当时是我们系整个78级在一起上数学课，每次数学考试后，宁老师都要在阶梯教室里让前3名站起来，多数情况下都有你；我们在芜湖电厂实习后，我们几个同学一起去黄山，留下了很多美好的回忆。……郑熙明同学一路走好，上帝与你同在。陆莉同学多多保重，节哀顺变。
工大四年居相邻，
音容笑貌今尤在；
英年先逝心痛惜，
熙明同学我们爱；
吴侬软语是禀性，
棋牌数学你最嗨；
别后无面吾心憾，
他日天堂你礼待。
毕业离校四十年，远涉重洋去彼岸。传播科技与文化，异国他乡美名传。陆莉保重！
悼文
合肥工业大学电机系发电78级全体同学
惊悉噩耗，熙明同学因患癌症不幸英年早逝，发电78级1班2班全体同学深感悲痛和惋惜！这一噩耗，发生的让人不知所措，让人悲痛于心…。噩耗消息通过同学微信群，传到了每位同学，每位同学都发自内心的表达了哀悼和祈祷。
回忆过往的大学生活，在神灵的安排下，我们与郑熙明是在1978年成为大学同窗的。刚开始的彼此陌生、彼此生疏中，大多数同学是在大学一年级数学大教室初识郑熙明的，当时学校整个电机系六个班近200同学在阶梯大教室一起上数学课，期中考试后的首次数学课中，任课老师在大教室的讲台上公布最好成绩的获得者为郑熙明，并请郑熙明同学在大教室中起立，这时一个带着眼镜方形脸面的人，羞羞答答、慢慢腾腾地出现在大家视野中。从此聪明、数学神人、智力、天赋、睿智等名词，成了郑熙明这个名字的追随者。让众多同学开眼界的是，第一次知道象棋中还有一种被称为盲棋比赛方法。宿舍里，郑熙明同时与三人下象棋，只见熙明同学躺在床上、桌子上翘脚，远离棋盘、口诉象棋术语，另三同学，每人分别坐在一张的桌子上的棋盘旁，四人你来我往、紧张激烈，观摩同学对可以不看棋盘、凭借非凡的记忆力同时进行多盘博弈，无不印象深刻、甚至震撼。
郑熙明同学不仅聪明睿智、博学多艺，更是品德优秀，至纯至洁。大三的芜湖电厂认识实习结束后，包括郑熙明在内部分同学就近结伴黄山旅行中，感受到了郑熙明的儒雅风范、斯文人生的另一面：上至天文、下至地理，只要入了郑熙明熟知领域，每每见地风趣新颖、辨如悬河；而对“旁门左道”，你仿佛天外来人，简直一窍不通，对于诸如趴飞车之“雕虫小计”，如此冥顽不灵、窘迫十分，在左拉右拽、费劲全身力气的努力之后，才勉强赶上我们这些惯于“走江湖的黑帮人群”，
一年多前，听说了郑熙明的患病消息，你一路坚强的走来，其坚韧和顽强的毅力，随性抱玄晖的开朗心态，与同学的网络桥牌游戏中体现的淋漓致尽致，在分析经典桥牌比赛案例、比赛过程中的概率分布计算、推理层次之多之深，让人难以相信桥桌前坐着的是一位肺癌患者、让我们久久难忘。
斯人已去，音容宛在，青山静静，九洲彻寒。在此，谨以合肥工业大学电机系发电78级全体同学的名义，将无尽的哀思之意与深沉的怀念之情奉献给郑熙明，愿你一路走好；不论你在哪里，我们也是在同一个宇宙，你永远是我们的同学、朋友、兄弟，我们不会忘记你，永远不会。
那堪闻噩耗，不觉泪双流。绝影雁过碛，悲声叶落秋。层霄凌鹤驾，下土得神游。争忍英年祭，作霖天亦愁。
安息吧，熙明同学，愿你在天堂风采依旧！
合肥工业大学电机系发电78级全体同学敬挽
2022.12.13
曾经沧海难为水，除却巫山不是云。
取次花丛懒回顾，半缘修道半缘君。
1981同游黄山，2014西雅图一别，哪知道是太平洋永隔！郑熙明安息！陆莉保重！ 大学同学 宗刚
今天，12月13日，东部时间下午5:17（太平洋西部时间下午2:17），怀着无比沉痛的心情，望着永远微笑的熙明，三鞠躬，默哀一分钟，送别爱戴的老同学、好室友、好同事、好邻居、好朋友。
熙明：认识您40年有余，您的为人处事学识令人敬佩，您的点点滴滴在脑海里不停浮现，数也数不清。
搞不清的数学趣味题，打电话给您找标准答案；记得您躺在我床上1比3盲棋车轮大战，不停的为您捏着一把汗，您没有忘记三个棋盘里的每一招棋，有时想偷吃一个子都会被您及时识破，您让对手悔棋，世界象棋特级大师，名副其实。
在加拿大，我们是邻居。我们女儿出生后的第一天，是您和小陆送来热气腾腾的乌鸡汤，女儿的第一口母乳就是您送来的鸡汤变的。孩子们不会忘记郑叔叔；去西雅图玩，您带我们吃海鲜🦞大餐，带我们去游“富士山”，永远难忘。
在您17个月与癌症的战斗中，虽然倒下了，但永远是勇者，对生死的认知，是我们的楷模；11月底13月初，我们约好了一起看世界杯，一起加油，卡塔尔世界杯还没踢完，没想到您这么匆匆；9月初计划去西雅图看望您，种种原因，没能成行，便成了一生遗憾；12月2日的视频成了最后一次；我机会从12月份开始，我们明天互动，12月4日的问候没有了回复，竟成了绝笔；恶噩传来，不敢相信自己的眼睛，更不敢相信自己的耳朵，伤心的泪水夺眶而出…熙明，好老哥，安息吧！一路走好！天堂没有痛苦！我们永远怀念您！
很欣慰您有这么体贴入微、美丽漂亮的太太小陆；聪慧懂事并学业有成的女儿！
黄湘/张刚
2022-12-13于多伦多
非常非常的悲痛，作为凡人，我是多么希望奇迹会在您身上出现，但是上帝有他自己的安排。 提摩太後書 4:7， “那美好的仗，我已經打過了；該跑的路程，我已經跑盡了；當守的信仰，我已經持守了。” 您已经给我们作了许多美好的见证，能走进天国的，都是遵循天父旨意的人，您一定是使徒保罗所说的这样的人，耶稣已经接您回天家，上帝已经带您进天堂，虽然我们无法理解和接受。相信您在天堂里没有病痛，相信在天上您还可以继续下象棋，继续做自己喜欢的事。希望将来我们在天国里继续做朋友，请记住我们的爱。我们会永远的怀念您，熙明，请一路走好，
Please accept my heartfelt sympathy for you and your family during this difficult time. It was with a heavy heart that I heard about the recent loss of colleague and friend and Chess Champion – Ximing and I wanted to reach out and express my condolences.
I am so grateful to know Ximing with always a sunshine smile on his face that could make you a day. You will be greatly missed!
我跟郑熙明相识四十三年。我有幸跟郑熙明曾经在大学和研究生期间两度是校友，他都是比我早一年。在北京工作期间，我们在同一个办公室相处五年多。在美国期间，同在西雅图居住多年，并曾在同一间基督教会敬拜。郑熙明即是我的学长、同事，也是我主内兄长。
郑熙明弟兄的一生是蒙神祝福的一生。他不仅在专业方面学有所成，也有广泛的个人兴趣爱好，特别在中国象棋方面被授予国际特级大师荣誉。他热爱生活、为人谦和、爱人如己、虔诚信主。
我们缅怀郑熙明弟兄。
郑熙明弟兄安息主怀。