Huon Li's Obituary
It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Huon Li of San Jose on August 8, 2025 at the age of 99 years. Huon was born on December 5, 1925, in Canton, China, to Han Hun Li and Yu Sha Liang. He earned his B.S. in Engineering from National Central University in Nanking, China. After being accepted to graduate school in the United States, he left China in January 1949 to pursue his studies along with his future wife Wei-Shan Chen. He completed his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, where he co-authored research papers with his advisor, Hans Albert Einstein, marking the beginning of a long and distinguished career in science and engineering.
Huon dedicated his life to learning, innovation, and service. He published numerous research papers and held roles as an assistant professor of aeronautical engineering at Penn State University and an engineer with the Missile and Space Division of General Electric Co during the Space Race. As an oceanographer with the U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office, he studied ice flow in the North Pole and retired at age 65. Later he returned to California to be closer to his family.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 76 years, Wei-Shan Li, and by their five children: Jane Sasur and her husband Peter (San Jose, CA); Diana Li-Repac and her husband Joseph Repac (Newberry, FL); Elizabeth Ayers and her husband Robert (Burke, VA); Shen-Yu Li and his wife Susan (Cupertino, CA); and Loretta Li-Sevilla and her husband Roland Sevilla (Cupertino, CA). Huon was also a proud grandfather to 14 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
To his family, Huon will always be remembered as a kind, generous, and selfless man. Having a love for games, he spent countless joyful hours playing croquet, badminton, Yahtzee, Stratego with loved ones. He also enjoyed card games such as Crazy 8’s, bridge, and poker. As an active competitor throughout his life, he participated in tennis, ping pong, and chess tournaments. In his later years, he enjoyed gardening, long walks, bocce ball, and most recently working with a personal trainer three times a week.
A devoted husband, Huon was Wei-Shan’s primary caregiver for many years as she faced Alzheimer’s, showing unwavering love and compassion. He inspired all who knew him with his sharp mind, playful sense of humor, and deep sense of responsibility to others. Rising at 4 a.m. each day, Huon delighted in tracking foreign stock markets and catching the New York Stock Exchange opening bell. He was always eager to share his investment insights with family. Above all, Huon instilled strong values, humility, and a joyful spirit in those around him. His legacy continues in the lives he touched so deeply.
A funeral service and celebration of Huon’s life will be held on Monday, August 18, at Skylawn Funeral Home, 888 Lifemark Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA. The service will take place from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., followed by a burial and a reception at the same location.
He will be forever cherished, deeply missed, and lovingly remembered.
What’s your fondest memory of Huon?
What’s a lesson you learned from Huon?
Share a story where Huon's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Huon you’ll never forget.
How did Huon make you smile?