In Memoriam

Huang, Samuel J. Huang

(1937-2010)

 Samuel J. Huang
 March 14, 1937 - April 23, 2010
     
Dr. Samuel J. Huang, of Hampton, beloved husband, father, and brother, passed away on April 23, 2010 after a short and courageous battle with colon cancer. Dr. Huang passed peacefully with his family by his side.

He was born in Canton, China on March 14, 1937 and grew up during tumultuous times. The family fled main land China during World War II and took refuge in Hong Kong. After the war, the family settled in Taiwan, where Dr. Huang attended and graduated from Taiwan National University. He immigrated to the United States in 1961 and received his Ph D. in polymer chemistry from Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute. He followed his degree with a one-year post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Illinois.

In 1964, Dr. Huang accepted a position with the University of Connecticut as an assistant professor of chemistry. Over a 39-year career, he was the author or co-author of over 190 papers in peer reviewed journals, editor or co-editor of 4 books, and was the major advisor of 52 Ph D. students and 30 post-doctoral fellows and visiting professors. Dr. Huang was an internationally renowned pioneer in the biodegradable polymers and materials field. He was a leader in the area of biodegradation of polymers in the 1970's, biodegradable polymers in biomedical applications in the 1980's, and biodegradable polymers from renewable resources for environmentally compatible consumer products in the 1990's. Dr. Huang's students are now major contributors in these fields in both academic and industrial laboratories. He was the founding Director of the graduate level Polymer Program at the University of Connecticut, which now includes 14 faculty and about 80 graduate students and postdoctoral research associates and ranks among the top programs in the country.

He founded the Environmentally Degradable Polymer Society in 1992. Dr. Huang's family knew him as a gifted scientist, but also as an immensely creative and artistic person. His creativity came through in everything he touched, including the fabulous seafood dishes he cooked for family and friends.  Dr. Huang also loved his garden and being near the water. Many days, he could be found minding the raised beds he built to grow snow peas, peppers, and Chinese broccoli, or walking along the edge of the stream that ran by his home. He was a huge fan of U-Conn basketball, particularly the women's team. A frequent traveler, Dr. Huang enjoyed frequent trips to Italy and Carmel, California.

Dr. Huang leaves behind his wife, Phoebe Huang, of 41 years, 2 children, and 3 siblings. Left behind are his son, Min Huang of Columbia, his daughter, Wendy Waszmer of Washington DC, and his sisters, May Huang of New Brunswick NJ, Sufenne Hung of Knoxville TN, and brother, Paul Huang, of Atlanta GA.