Shan-Zhen Hu, Engineer and devoted father

Shan-Zhen passed away early in the morning of Friday, 29 April 2022. He was 92.

Shen-Zhen had been in declining health and living in hospice at a Poway nursing home for the past few months. He was preceded in death by his wife Xia-Hua Xuan, who died at age of 86 in Los Angeles due to stroke. Shen-Zhen was known as an extremely kind, compassionate, and devoted father to his family. He loved to read, enjoyed walking and relaxing in the southern California climate. He was particularly supportive to his grandchildren where he and his wife provided invaluable love, affection, and support.

Shen-Zhen was a chemical engineer who worked from 1954 to 1989 to develop materials and drugs for a large organization located in Shanghai China. He was adept at developing materials and compiling data and reports and translating technical papers from international contributors. His hard work and dedication kept his family fed and thriving in humble living conditions, under a tyrannical Government. In his younger years, growing up, he survived near death and starvation during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. This taught him to be extremely thrifty, grateful for all blessings, and always be prepared for tough times. He always put others ahead of his own needs and was a valuable influence on everyone he met.

In 2010, Shen-Zhen and his wife re-joined their two daughters (Mona and Kay) in San Diego, California and became US citizens, spending part time in both San Diego and Los Angeles. He and his wife left the repression of China and enjoyed the southern California living to help nourish and guide their newer grandchildren upon arrival – Christine and Aaron, teaching them Chinese language and customs. As a tradition, every Thanksgiving both daughters with their families (Mona with Tony, Aaron, and Christine, and Kay with Keiwei, Elizabeth, and John) would enjoy the holiday together.

Shen-Zhen and his wife had some ups and downs along the way, but regardless they remained devoted to each other and their children.