Birth date: Aug 12, 1945 Death date: Apr 7, 2026
Nae Jiuun Dun, a distinguished neuroscientist and devoted family man, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Danville, California, at the age of 80, following a courageous battle with a neurodegenerative disorder. B Read Obituary
To our most beloved Dr. Dun
Dear Dr. Dun,
It has been over a month since we learned of your passing. Having settled our waves of reluctance and grief, we have been quietly reminiscing about the times we spent together. Those days feel so vivid and warm, as if they happened just yesterday.
Because Chih had already been studying in the United States for a year, I hoped to reunite with him as a couple while also continuing my own doctoral journey. In the winter of 1992, I visited you for the very first time. You welcomed us with dinner at the "Bamboo Restaurant." You didn't ask about my TOEFL score, my GRE results, or even my undergraduate GPA. Instead, under the soft, warm lights of the restaurant, you smiled and said in your signature slow, gentle cadence, "Oh, Hsun-Hsun, I think I can help you and Chih save a fortune on long-distance phone bills." Outside, the December snow drifted across Ohio, yet that winter filled our hearts with warmth.
During our four years in Toledo, I remember you would ask every single morning, "How were the cells yesterday?" At that time, I felt immense pressure - it seemed impossible to hide any experimental data from this professor. Many years later, when I became an advisor myself, I found those same words slipping from my mouth to my own students, asking them, "How were the cells yesterday?" In those moments, a wave of recognition washed over me—perhaps it could be described as an "epiphany." I finally realized the heritage behind the question. If academia has lineages, you are a grand, majestic tree, and I am incredibly fortunate to be a small branch on the Dun academic family tree. Dear Dr. Dun, on this little branch of mine, there are now 12 master's graduates and 3 PhDs—they are all your academic grandchildren.
Our time learning under you was intense and fulfilling, yet filled with joy. Traveling with you to attend conferences also gave us the wonderful opportunity to explore the world. We went to Miami in 1994, San Diego in 1995, and Washington, D.C. in 1996. In the summer of 1997, we moved south to Tennessee with you. Along the way, we visited the Biltmore Estate Winery in Asheville together, where you shared the Vanderbilt family's history. We weren't just learning science; we were experiencing a magical journey across North America.
The hills of Johnson City were beautiful, but it was time for us to return to our homeland, Taiwan. That was our first farewell, though we believed we would meet again soon. In the many years that followed, you became a frequent visitor to Taiwan, and we were also fortunate to stay at your home in Philadelphia during one of our conference trips to the United States. Each goodbye then carried the promise of another reunion; we would always wave and say to each other, "Goodbye, see you next time."
But this time, you have been gone a little longer, and our reunion has not yet come. We feel deep sorrow, yet also gratitude —grateful to have known you, and grateful that you knew us. People once believed the world was flat, until science proved that the Earth is round. Perhaps one day we will discover that life, too , is a circle, and that after walking its full circumference, we will meet again.
And so, dearest Dr. Dun, we say once more: "Goodbye, see you next time."
Hsun-Hsun and Chih
In Loving Memory of Professor Dun
It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I offer these words in memory of my beloved mentor and advisor, Professor Dun.
Professor Dun was more than just an academic supervisor. Before I met him, I was struggling with a loss of confidence. However, his unwavering support for my academic and research work and his immense trust in my capabilities changed everything. He provided me with opportunities to challenge new ideas, giving me the courage to grow both as a scholar and as a person.
The academic community has lost a brilliant mind, and I have lost a cherished mentor. To Professor Dun's family, please accept my heartfelt condolences. Your loss is shared by me, who has been fortunate enough to be his student.
Professor Dun, thank you for everything. Your influence on my life is immeasurable. I will treasure my memories of you.
With deepest sympathy,
Ling-Ling Hwang
Dearest Dr. Dun,
感謝您
您在我們家庭在美國時
第一次最需要做轉變的時候
提供了最重要的協助與支持
讓我們跟著您到East Tennessee State University, Johnson City.
在您的協助與指導下
我們以及Jennifer
有很穩定成長的兩年
非常謝謝您與Mary!
我也覺得有些虧欠
沒能繼續留在美國與您們一起奮鬥
對此 您也沒對我說過任何話。謝謝您。
而且對玲玲與我們後續回台灣就業發展...
也都一直有您的關心與協助
對我們的家庭有很重要決定性的幫助
非常感謝...
我們家庭的成長過程中 有您。
您從沒說
但是我們也都知道與衷心感激...
您對我們的關心
與這麼多年來默默但
實質地
支持與協助我們。
能有幾次在台灣與您見面 很珍惜
感激每次見面的機會。
很懊悔...
上次2019年8月在台北的見面有點倉促
我在上海開完CGCM會議後
因為大雨
而晚一天回台
趕回新北市與您見面已稍晚，沒能多聊聊。
接到Bryant的email 說您離開了!!!
但卻不能去見您最後一面...
心裡很是糾結。。。
但感覺
我們終有再見的機會的...
陳炯東
Chiung-Tong CHEN, Ph.D.
敬輓
In Loving Memory of Professor Dun
It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I offer these words in memory of my beloved mentor and advisor, Professor Dun.
Professor Dun was more than just an academic supervisor. Before I met him, I was struggling with a loss of confidence. However, his unwavering support for my academic and research work and his immense trust in my capabilities changed everything. He provided me with opportunities to challenge new ideas, giving me the courage to grow both as a scholar and as a person.
The academic community has lost a brilliant mind, and I have lost a cherished mentor. To Professor Dun's family, please accept my heartfelt condolences. Your loss is shared by me, who has been fortunate enough to be his student.
Professor Dun, thank you for everything. Your influence on my life is immeasurable. I will treasure my memories of you.
With deepest sympathy,
Ling-Ling Hwang
Dearest Dr. Dun,
感謝您
您在我們家庭在美國時
第一次最需要做轉變的時候
提供了最重要的協助與支持
讓我們跟著您到East Tennessee State University, Johnson City.
在您的協助與指導下
我們以及Jennifer
有很穩定成長的兩年
非常謝謝您與Mary!
我也覺得有些虧欠
沒能繼續留在美國與您們一起奮鬥
對此 您也沒對我說過任何話。謝謝您。
而且對玲玲與我們後續回台灣就業發展...
也都一直有您的關心與協助
對我們的家庭有很重要決定性的幫助
非常感謝...
我們家庭的成長過程中 有您。
您從沒說
但是我們也都知道與衷心感激...
您對我們的關心
與這麼多年來默默但
實質地
支持與協助我們。
能有幾次在台灣與您見面 很珍惜
感激每次見面的機會。
很懊悔...
上次2019年8月在台北的見面有點倉促
我在上海開完CGCM會議後
因為大雨
而晚一天回台
趕回新北市與您見面已稍晚，沒能多聊聊。
接到Bryant的email 說您離開了!!!
但卻不能去見您最後一面...
心裡很是糾結。。。
但感覺
我們終有再見的機會的...
陳炯東
Chiung-Tong CHEN, Ph.D.
敬輓
