Jen Chiu, 98, passed away peacefully on April 12, 2023, at his home. He is predeceased by his wife, Lucy Pi-Woo Chiu, and his daughter Pei-Pei (Scobie Smith). He is survived by his daughters, Wei-Wei, Delia (Matt Scheer) and Melinda (Steve Cook). He was a dedicated family man and loving father who imbued his daughters with the desire to strive for excellence in all pursuits. His personal interests included Chinese opera and traditional Chinese instruments and watching old classic movies and mysteries.
Born in Hunan Province, China, Dr. Chiu received his BS degree in Chemistry from National Hunan University in China, where he ranked No. 1 in the Nationwide Civil Examination. While working in Taiwan, he met and married Lucy. In 1957, he immigrated to the United States to attend graduate school on scholarship at University of Illinois Urbana.
After receiving his MS degree and PhD in Analytical Chemistry, he began working at the DuPont Experimental Station in Wilmington, DE, in 1960, and brought his family over to the United States. He was recognized as a pioneer for his work in Thermal Analysis before retiring from DuPont as a Research Fellow in 1987.
During his illustrious career, Dr. Chiu held leadership positions in chemical societies, founded the Thermal Analysis Forum of the Delaware Valley, taught at scientific institutes, and spoke at conferences both in the United States and internationally. He also played a significant leadership role in the early years of the North American Thermal Analysis Society (NATAS), carrying out a massive campaign to grow its membership.
He held numerous patents and publications. He was also the recipient of numerous awards, including the 1982 Mettler Award in Thermal Analysis and the NATAS Outstanding Service Award from the International Confederation for Thermal Analysis (ICTA). In 1994, TA Instruments dedicated the “Jen Chiu Library” in Wilmington DE.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his name can be made to the American Chemical Society (acs.org) or Delaware Hospice (delawarehospice.org). A private service will be held at a later date.
