Dr. Hung-Chao "Paul" Tai

As he did his entire life, Hung-Chao led a vibrant, engaged and disciplined life through his last days and years even after a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in June 2019. His lifelong dedication to geopolitics enlivened his intellect and his commitment to his cultural and family heritage guided his lifepath. His more recent pursuits included fundraising among his Chinese-American friends for Democratic candidates (including his daughter Helen’s PA state representative campaign) and publishing The ELM, an e-newsletter for his extensive Chinese-American network. Over his lifetime, Hung-Chao published four books and contributed to numerous others, ranging from academic topics such as rural land reform to his most recent, a memoir entitled “The Luckiest Five Percent.”

His many interests included world travel, reading the New York Times, attending and organizing conferences, adopting new computer technologies, writing and publishing, lecturing (Chinese/US relations, American politics, international relations), golf, cars and weaknesses for French pastries and shopping on-line for LL Bean. He called the United States National Park System America’s greatest treasure, and relished his time among its forests and coastlines, often donating generously to their stewardship.

Hung-Chao was born in Linru County, Henan Province, China on November 18th, 1929 to Tai Mingchuan, owner of a coal mine and a lieutenant general in Generalissimo Chiang Kaishek’s army, and to Zhang Duanjie, a devoted and fierce mother who taught Hung-Chao how to maneuver through the violence of war and menacing family members.

China’s intermittent civil war from 1927 to 1949 drove Hung-Chao to Taiwan via Hong Kong, where he lived as a refugee. He earned a bachelor’s degree from National Taiwan University in 1954 in political science; and his Master’s and PhD at the University of Illinois in 1961 after winning a prestigious scholarship for graduate study in the United States (one awarded out of a field of 600, including academics). While at Illinois, Hung-Chao met fellow student Julia Ming-Jen Chow whom he married in 1960.

At the University of Detroit, Professor Tai was a popular and respected teacher in political economy, rural development and international affairs from 1962 -1993 and in 1994 was awarded Professor Emeritus status. Personally recruited by the renowned political scientist Samuel P. Huntington to the Harvard University Center for International Affairs, Hung-Chao enjoyed a Ford Foundation Faculty Fellowship from 1967-1968. He would later also hold a research fellowship at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution.

Hung-Chao is survived by his wife of 62 years, Julia C. Tai, children Eve Tai of Seattle, Helen Tai (John McDevitt) of New Hope, PA, Michael Tai (Linda Choi) and granddaughter Audrey of Chicago, IL.

Donations may be made to his favorite charities including:

National Park Foundation (https://give.nationalparks.org/)

National Geographic Society (https://www.nationalgeographic.org/society/)

The Nature Conservancy (nature.org)

Yosemite Conservancy (https://yosemite.org/donate)

Grand Canyon Conservancy (www.grandcanyon.org)

San Diego Chinese Historical Museum (https://sdchm.org/)

Hung-Chao’s life philosophies are shared below in his own words:

In a note to his son Michael:

- Love this earth. This is the only thing outlasting us. I have deep affection

especially for American national parks, something of incomparable beauty and of

human generosity.

- Show concern for others. Practice this in a small circle of people like family and

friends as well as the society at large. That’s why I single-handedly edited, up to now,

209 issues of the ELM – a newsletter among people for exchange of interests and

experiences. That’s why I did a lot of things you once said were “non-profit” activities.

That’s why I, along with others, founded two CCCs [Chinese-American friendship

groups.].

From his memoir, page 323, My Mottos

Be kind to what outlasts us: the earth.

Life is a balance of probabilities. Value the positive; ignore the negative.

Smile when upset, showing teeth.

When starting anything, finish it.

Never delay anything I can do now.

Brain creates knowledge and skill; unused brian is a great waste.

Health largely depends on exercise; exercise depends on persistence.

Reciprocity creates friendship; loyalty perpetuates it.

Family starts with love; it grows with mutual devotion.

Always keep some money in hand no matter what.

Buy the best I can afford; enjoy life to the fullest.

Aging is the process of finding new mottoes and following them.