Oct. 14, 2005—The following tribute was presented by Yaroslav Bilinsky, professor emeritus of political science and international relations, at the General Faculty Meeting on Oct. 10.

Yi-Chun (Patrick) Chang, a member of the University of Delaware faculty since Sept. 1, 1966, died suddenly from a heart-related illness in his home Oct. 10, 2004. He was 72 years old and had retired from the Department of Political Science and International Relations Aug. 31, 2000.

Prof. Chang was born in Beijing, China, April 20, 1932. He came to this country and became a naturalized U.S. citizen. He received a bachelor of arts in 1954 degree from the Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, Mo., and in 1955, he obtained a master’s degree in political science from the flagship of the University of the Wisconsin system, the University of Wisconsin at Madison. In 1963, Northwestern University awarded him a Ph.D. in political science.

Prof. Chang was given tenure and promoted to associate professor Sept. 1, 1975. Before coming to the University of Delaware, he served as a consultant on contract with the Department of Defense (1963-1966) to analyze and interpret the foreign policy of China and Africa.

Although Prof. Chang taught a number of courses in international relations, his favorites were those on the political systems of East Asia, and of China, in particular. His students appreciated his sense of humor, for he made them laugh. But, he also helped his students with questions of style and grammar. A colleagues’ colleague, he assisted his fellow-professors with practical departmental and University concerns, including issues of retirement.

Above all, Prof. Chang was exemplary in interpreting his native country to his fellow-Americans. The eldest son of a distinguished Chinese political family—his father Pe-chin Chang had been the mayor of Beijing in 1949 and Minister Plenipotentiary from the Republic of China to Japan for twenty years—Prof. Chang was particularly sensitive to the nuances of both Chinese domestic politics and Chinese foreign policy. He could read and understand the lines in Chinese documents, but he could also read between the lines. His major work of 1976, Factional and Coalition Politics in China: The Cultural Revolution and Its Aftermath, has stood the test of time.

With Prof. Chang’s death, the University of Delaware has lost a popular teacher, a respected scholar and, above all, a responsible and trusted interpreter of his native country’s political legacy. His two daughters, Catherine J. Chang and Nina J. Chang, have lost a loving father.

Oct. 27, 2004--Yi-Chun “Patrick” Chang, 72, of Wilmington, died Sunday, Oct. 10, at his home.

In 2000, Dr. Chang retired as associate professor of political science and international relations, after 34 years at UD.

Dr. Chang came to the United Stes in 1951 to attend Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, N.C. He was graduated from Southeastern Missouri State in Cape Girardeau, Mo., in 1955. The next year, he received a master's degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, and in 1963 he earned his doctorate in political science at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.

He worked for the Department of Defense in Washington, D.C., before joining the UD political science faculty in 1966. He taught international relations and specialized in East Asian political systems. Contemporary Chinese politics was the primary focus of his research, resulting in his book Factional and Coalition Politics in China, published in 1979. He also authored several articles on the same subject.

Dr. Chang was the son of Pe-chin Chang, a mayor of Peking in 1949 and minister plenipotentiary from the Republic of China to Japan for 20 years.

He enjoyed reading and listening to opera.

He is survived by his daughters, Catharine J. Chang of Yardley, Pa., and Nina J. Chang of Wilmington; his brothers, Yi-han Chang of Los Angeles, Yi-chi Chang of Chapel Hill, N.C., and Yi-fa Chang of Henderson, Nev.; and his sister, Yi-tan Chang of New York City. Also surviving are three nieces, Beth J. Chang, Laura J. Chang and Deanna J. Chang.

A memorial service will be held at 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 4, at Chandler Funeral Homes, 2506 Concord Pike, Wilmington. Friends may visit with the family beginning at 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the famliy suggests contributions to Morris Library, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19717-5267 or to the New Castle County Library, Brandywine Hundred Branch, 1300 Foulk Rd., Wilmington, DE 19803.