Ming Gao
December 10, 1936 - December 31, 2023
Ming Gao, age 87, of Middletown, DE, and formerly of Houston, TX, passed away on Sunday, December 31, 2023.
Ming was a brilliant scientist and a respected academian. He dedicated his entire life to the advancement of the field of metallurgy. Ming worked as the chief metallurgist for Blade Energy, after retiring from GE and ExxonMobil. He also served as a distinguished researcher at Lehigh University and a professor of Material Science at Shanghai Jiaotong University. In his spare time, Ming loved traveling to new places, playing with the latest technologies and fishing.
Born in Shanghai, China, on December 10, 1936, Ming was a son of the late Keji and Erxian (Zhu) Gao. In addition to his parents, Ming was preceded in death by his sibling, Shan Gao. Ming was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Loretta L. Kung; children, Xi Gao (Joe Lin), Lucy Meyers (Raymond), Jeff Gao (Bing), and Amy Chapman (Craig); siblings, Yin Gao, Xuan Gao, and Wei Gao; and grandchildren, Tyler Meyers, Ashley Meyers, Sarah Meyers, Kelvin Gao, Ethan Gao, and Konner Chapman.
A memorial service in celebration of his life will begin at 3 pm on Monday, January 8, 2024, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 North DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE. Interment will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ming’s memory to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Shahani
Dear Loretta, I am deeply saddened to hear the news about our dear friend Ming. I can’t imagine the shock it must be to you.
I will always cherish the times I worked with Ming. His expertise, his willingness to work hard, and collaborate are unparalleled. My heart goes out to you and your family. Please let me know if I can do anything for you.
John ju
My heartfelt condolences for the loss of Gao Papa. I’m deeply shocked by his sudden departure. We had plans to visit and enjoy time together. I still recalled well my first meeting at his house when I was in my early 30s; he seemed as youthful as us. His kindness, generosity, humility, and knowledge were truly admirable. I’ll never forget teasing him about having a girlfriend. I’m proud of how well he raised Xi and Yang. His legacy will be forever cherished. May he rest in peace.
George Tang
I met Professor Gao at my graduate study in Univ Santa Clara. He has the character of a kind, honest, generous, full of knowledge, patient, ebullient, consummate gentleman. It is my honor and fortune to have Professor Gao as my teacher and friend. He lives in my heart.
Richard Kania
Dear Loretta and Ming”s family. I am deeply saddened by this. Was unexpected. My deepest condolences. Ming was my mentor, friend, college and i could say like a father to me as well. He was such a kind and happy spirit. He was also one of the smartest people i have ever met. The pipeline industry is losing a great mind that contributed enormously to pipelines and pipeline safety. My deepest condolences. Richard
Xi Gao
To my father from 晞晞
Dear Baba 爸爸，one day long time ago, you recited the greatest 18th century Russian Poet, Alexander Pushkin’s 普希金Epitaph to me. I looked at you, you were smiling, eyes sparkling, thoughts into the distant future. I remember you said vividly that you would write your epitaph just like his, and it starts with “Here buried Ming Gao and his Metallurgy”. We laughed, understood each other – to Baba, metallurgy is romantic, is your poetry, your life long passion.
Since then, I always knew when the day comes, I would write your Epitaph just as you liked on your memorial. I just didn’t know that day would’ve come so soon. I will miss you terribly. I want you to know that if there is a next life, I will be your daughter again.
My dearest Baba 爸爸，here you go:
Ming Gao Epitaph
Here Ming Gao lies, who with his beloved metallurgy and laboratory, lived a happy long life. Morning and Night stars watched over him. Though he had done nothing big, he is a good man. Those who love him will tell you that.
高明墓志銘
這里埋葬的是高明. 他和心愛的金相學，實驗室，晨曦晚霞星空度過了他快樂的一生.
他雖未做過什麼大事，卻是一個好人. 這點愛他的人都可以作證
Love，Xi Xi 晞晞
Bill Gu
Dear Loretta and Ming’s family. I was deeply saddened by this heartbreaking news. I couldn’t believe Ming’ sudden departure as we talked and discussed our China plan seems like yesterday and I regret our two families didn’t meet last new year eve.
Ming is a great scientist, friend and mentor to many of us. He is always willing to help, teach and inspire young people with his knowledge and enthusiasm. His sparkling eyes will last in the memory of all us.
Deepest condolences,
Bill and Pili
Robert Worthingham
My condolences on your loss. Mig was a wonderful gentleman and co-worker. I shall always have fond memories of him.
高萱
亲愛的小哥！尽管您已离开了我们，但您的精神将永远和我们同在！您孝敬父母，厚爱兄长姐妹，刻苦学习，勤奋工作，淡泊名利，您是我们学习的榜样。
亲愛的小哥，愿您在天堂安息！我们永远怀念您！
您的大妹高萱，大妹夫侯璋荣
依群
亲爱的大伯伯，记忆悠远，清晰在目，遥遥泣别，温情永存。请安息！
Scott Thetford
My thoughts and prayers are with you all!
Mimoun Elboujdaini
“Goodbye, my dear brother Ming. Rest in peace.”
Dear Lucy Gao
Very Dear Loretta,
Dear Ming’s Family
My very sincere condolences to all family for the passing away of a great man. Ming (Dr. Ming Gao) was not just a brilliant professor, scientist, engineer, friend of everyone who knows him, but Ming was a person who had a vision and passion for his job and the friendship.
Above all, Ming was and will forever be my brother. Yes, we always call each other Brother.
Sorry, it is difficult for me to finish this message… I am still in shock because in front of me our communication dated on Monday 25, 2023.
Here my brother Ming wrote on 25th January 2023:
———————————————————————————————— ————————————————————-
“My very dear brother, I am going to retire from Blade Energy effective Jan,1, 2024….……++++++……. If you agree, let’s discuss after the holidays — say Jan. 5, 2024.
Your very dear brother.”
———————————————————————————————— ————————————————————
It’s truly remarkable how my brother Ming, can positively impact the lives of so many. Leaving behind a legacy of influence and inspiration speaks about the kind of person he was. The mark he left on the lives of others is a testament to his character, kindness, generosity, and the values he held dear.
I wish you and to the family patience and solace – this is what God Almighty has destined.
Mimoun
——————————–
Mimoun Elboujdaini
+1-832-339-3693
melboujd@gmail.com
I sent à letter via Lucy’s email
Yuqi
It’s still hard to believe that our beloved uncle has left us. He was a cherished member of our family. His kindness, humility and erudition left a deep impression on me. When I visited him in Houston in 2019, he was still in excellent physical condition, looking so young and energetic that he even took my mom and me on a tour of the city. I will always cherish the time I spent with him. He will live in my heart forever.
From your nephews, Yuqing & Yuqi
Christine Ju
I am very sorry and saddened to hear about the passing of Grandpa Gao. To me, he will always be remembered as a strong and kind hearted man who helps young ladies lift up their luggage on airplanes (although he looked 45 years, he was actually 80 at the time). Grandpa Gao was truly generous, strong, humorous, and loving. Thank you for always thinking of me. Rest well Grandpa Gao and continue to look after us. You will truly be missed.
Gabriel Ju
The kindness and gestures Grandpa Gao has sent to Christine and me have been deeply heartfelt. I wish I had the opportunity to get to know him more. Thank you very much Grandpa Gao for welcoming me into the family. I know you will be truly missed.
Lynn Ju
Dear Gao Papa, You are one of the most decent persons that I have ever met. Although I didn’t get to see you much before, I can always see you via Xi. Thank you for giving me such a great sis-in-law. Rest In Peace, Gao Papa. You will always remembered.
周碚之
尊敬的高老师, 看到你已经熟睡，真不忍再来吵你。你辛苦忙碌了六十几年，是该好好休息了。在过往的岁月里，你没日没夜，起早摸黑，忙的是工作，想的是课题。你在学术上一丝不苟，不会放过显微镜下的任何一个可疑的细节。你对学生严格要求，谁也别想在你面前耍滑头、打马虎眼。可是你对每一个周围的人都是那么和蔼、那么关心，让我们都永远把你的作风品格铭记在心。
尊敬的高老师, 当我还在上海交大上研究生时，就已经听说了你的大名和你的“厉害”，当时你正在美国里海大学进修读学位。巧的是在你回交大工作几年再度到里海工作时，我也正好在那里进修和打算读学位，也就是在那段日子里，荣幸地得到了你多方位的指导和帮助。你本来就是一个乐于助人的好老师，又是一位在专业上顶尖的好教授，对来美的留学生更是无微不至。所以，我们有什么问题都愿意来找你商量请教，大到定课题方向论文题目，小到实验方法数据分析。你每天都那么忙，总有干不完的日程，但是你还是会抽出时间来跟我或别的学生讨论每一个问题，提出极为中肯的建议和指导。你对科研的思路和解决问题的方法，对我们在当时和在以后的工作中都有极大的启发和很深的影响。可以这样说，没有高老师对我的帮助和教诲，我就不可能顺利取得学位和应对日后的各项工作，我和我的全家将永远不会忘记高老师的谆谆教导和无上恩德。
尊敬的高老师, 安息吧！
Robert Hobbs
Xi, you told me about the greatness of your Father. In his passing and in this obituary he has become greater than you described. The Gao family should be eternally proud of him and the shaping of all your Lives! God Bless!
Ellen
給我們最愛的Auntie Xi,
很難過聽到您父親的消息，我們十分遺憾還沒能多瞭解他… 但不論如何，我們非常感謝他給了我們這麼好的auntie，從照片上熟悉的笑容能感受到你們所共有的特點，那種智慧中帶著親和舒適的感覺。
如今他平和離去，祝福他在下個地方快樂幸福，也希望我們的auntie Xi健康平安，我們來日再聚。
From 大嫂陳靜芬、姪女欣瑀、欣葳
Noelle Co
My deepest condolences, Loretta and family.
Ming had been a great mentor, a friend, and he was like a father/grand father to us in Blade. He had exemplified excellence at work. His mentorship made an impact to how I view work and inspired me strive for excellence. Aside from technical knowledge he imparted, he happily shared life lessons too. He is very humble, kind, and approachable. I am forever thankful that I get to work with a great scientist like Ming.
Rest in peace, Ming. You will be dearly missed.
Lucy Meyers
Dear Dad,
It’s incredibly hard to be here and process what had happened, I wish I could turn back time. You were such a wonderfully caring, loving and giving person, not only to your family but to anyone that was fortunate enough to have crossed your path! I feel so honored to have called you my Dad and will cherish our memories together forever! ❤️ ❤️
Your daughter, Lucy
李学敏
高明老师是文革后第一批从上海交大派遣出来的留美学者，师从理海大学的Dr.Robert Wei。毕业后曾回交大执教一段时间。我有幸于1984年在交大叫三楼前第一次见到高明老师。高老师为人和蔼谦和，平易近人给我留下了非常深刻的印像。1987年底，我在肯塔基大学做访问学期间经朋友介绍再次和理海大学的高明老师联系上，并请求高老师帮忙转到好一点学校。于是，高老师推荐我到周以倉教授名下工作。我于1987年12月23日转理海大学继续做访问学者，一年后我正式注册成为周教授的博士研究生。从而开始了我在理海大学的学生生涯。在理海大学读书期间，高老师对来自中国的学生学者给予全方位的支持和帮助。对高老师的不幸离世，我和我的家人表示沉痛哀悼和深切的怀念！
Sandeep Sharma
Dear Loretta and Ming’s family. My sincere heartfelt condolences to you and family. Ming was a great mentor to me as I started my pipeline carrier in the oil and gas industry. He was kind, polite and very generous and will be missed greatly. May god give you strength to deal with your loss.
Sarah Meyers
Dear Pop Pop,
I know you’re resting easy and in a peaceful place. I will never forget you – the man who would instantly go from quizzing me on my math homework to playing Just Dance with me. You were always just happy to be involved in anything I was doing.
From catching lizards in your yard to attending my symphony concerts to just watching tv on the couch at home, I will miss your company❤️
Love,
Your granddaughter, Sarah
David Xu
A shock to me! We just had a PRCI project meeting with him in early December.
Ming is such a brilliant and hardworking person that I respect deeply and more he is my mom’s college classmate. Per my mom, he was one of the few top students of their generation in the college.
He will by remembered by us and the industry for his contribution.
Amy and Craig Chapman
Dads kindness and generosity will be remembered by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Dad was always there for everyone, family, colleagues, or friends. He always seemed to be able to draw upon boundless energy.
I will always remember all the amazing vacations we took together, going to dads favorite restaurants like Olive Garden and Texas Roadhouse, the excitement of sharing his latest work projects and being so proud, the walks to the lake, greeting me with that big smile, the delicious food he always made, and the many other adventures and memory’s we shared. I’m going to remember you for exactly that and so much more.
And we’re going to miss you. Your decency, sincerity, and kind soul will stay with us forever. So, through our tears, let us see the blessings of knowing and loving you – a great and noble man, and the best father, husband, grandfather and friend we could have ever hoped for. I know dad will always be here looking down on us and enjoying the view from above.
We love ❤️ you Dad
Jenny Been
My deepest condolences to Loretta and family. An unexpected loss and we will miss him very much. He brings a smile to my face as I remember his enthusiasm every time I saw him at a meeting or conference. He would greet me as his best friend and was excited to tell me all about his recent findings and work. It was a pleasure knowing and working with Ming.
王建华
高老师走了，然而，他的音容笑貌是挥之不去的永久记忆。
1986年，我从纽约城市大学转到里海大学。在那里，我首次遇到了中国来的学生学者中，最引人注目的当属高老师。他主管的实验室与数学楼之间只隔一条小路。清晨，我们经常在路上相遇。他散发出一种明显的吸引力，让人直觉到他对工作的兴趣和自信，以及对人的谦和和热情。印象深刻的是一次他刚刚获得一笔50万美元的研究项目，那在80年代末可谓是相当可观的经费。我们恰好在数学楼旁相遇，他高兴地与我分享了这个好消息。
高老师为人谦和、热情、慷慨。我曾几次有幸参加他家的朋友聚会。作为一位严谨且取得相当成就的科学家，他还能做出一手好菜惠友。
当时，作为一名在读数学博士研究生，面对学业压力、毕业后的安排以及当时美国的经济状况，我心里难免有些迷茫。然而，周围有这样的长者，无形中得到了鼓励。
去年7月3日，我和太太从华盛顿经纽约回波士顿，特意再次访问了里海大学，途径特拉华州。如有机会见到高老师，行程一定增色。
友人、长者无憾离世，只嫌他离世的时间太早。高老师，愿您在天堂安息。
胡凯鸿
高明老师在我心目中是敬业的学者，慈祥的长辈。三十五年前初来美时，靠着长辈友人信函的引见，常在周末去他家蹭饭，聊天，并和他与我同岁的女儿高晞结为蜜友至今。高老师待人谦和诚恳，不骄不躁。与晚生交往中也是关爱与尊重并行。十分羡慕他的工作状态，投入专注，收获喜悦。高老师一直做着自己喜欢的工作至生命的最后，这是人生的一大福报，是上天对勤劳又善良的人的奖励。最后，在至亲们的陪伴下驾鹤，驰向极乐。－生也许并非事事如意，但这结局绝对圆满无憾。高明老师一路走好。
Ken George
Dr. Gao was one of the most important people in my life. He was mentor, a friend, and a father figure. He was one of the warmest people I have ever known. I learned so much from my time working with him. I will never forget him. Thank you for everything, Ming.
Samarth Tandon
Ming was my mentor at Blade. I have worked with him since May 2007. He was outstanding technically, and I had learned a lot from him. He was the one who hired me at Blade. I had traveled with him to Canada several times. He loved his entire family dearly and always had time to converse with Loreta, even during busy business trips. He was disciplined regarding eating and exercising and a role model for me. One time, when I was with him in Canada, we went to the gym. He was riding a stationary bike for an hour or so. I realized then his willpower to stay healthy.
He was a giver to the society. He inspired several people at Blade. The professional associations will miss him and his contributions.
Sincere condolences to the family. 🙏
I will miss him. Blessings.