Jiali was my classmate in Fudan, from Spring 1978 to 1980 (in 1980 Jiali left Shanghai for the US for higher education). We had the same major, shared the same room, took the same classes, checked the homework together, and it happened that we were the same age, from the same city…all that made us immediate friends, from 1978 to July 19, 2010 when he passed away… Jiali was the tallest student in class, always with a bright smile. According to Dr. Yu Mang, another classmate of mine, Jiali was the most handsome guy in the class. It didn’t take long for me to learn that Jiali’s father was Mr.Shen-Yimo, the remarkable poet of the May 4th movement, and the top Chinese calliographer in modern era. When I was in high school, I used Mr. Shen-Yimo’s calligraphy as a model for my Chinse brush writing class. To have a zero distance contact with Shen-Yimo’s son, it was indeed a special experience. Only at a much later time did I learn that Mr. Shen Yimo had adopted Jiali as his son in 1953. In his 80’s, Mr. Shen Yimo’s sight was weak, and reluctant to write, and Jiali, as the only child living with him, was the only one who could request Mr. Shen to continue writing using a Chinese brush. Many of Mr. Shen Yimo’s late calligraphic art works were made possible because of Jiali’s persistence. However, during the Cultural Revolution, Mr. Shen (then in his 8o’s) was unfairly criticized and humiliated in public. In a massive “Criticize-and-Struggle” meeting, Mr. Shen Yimo was standing on the stage, beaten bloody, and Chu Jiali, a young lad of 18, was called on to the stage, and was forced to draw a political separation line between himself and his father. Jiali stood upright with dignity, and when he had a chance to hold the microphone, he spoke loudly in public: “MY FATHER IS A GOOD MAN”. The audience was shocked by this young man’s voice and courage. As anyone who lived through that turmoil period would understand, to speak out this sentence meant fearless bravery, and even sacrifice. That was young Jiali, our classmate Jiali. After graduation from high school, Jiali was sent to a cow farm to be re-educated. There he spent a total of ten years. For many youngsters, the heavy physical labor and suffocating envronment caused by “Gang of Four” eventually put out their desire for learning, but Jiali was an exception. While working in the cow farm, Jiali was actively involved in scientific experiment: extraction of DNA from young male cattle. He even started a scientific co-operation with Department of Biology at Fudan University. In 1977, Jiali passed the National Enrance Exam to become a Fudan student majoring in Biochemistry. Jiali belonged to 66 Grade high school graduates. In my own experience, only very few percents of students of 66 Grade made it through 77’s National Entrance Exam, and Jiali did. Again, facing the pressure of ten years suppressing fate, Jiali showed his bravery and courage. In 1980, Jiali was the first student in our class who decided to leave Fudan to pursue higher education oversea. At the time, most of our classmates were surprised at his decision, since we knew so little about the world outside of China. I remember that when Jiali told me of his plan, and encouraged me to pursue higher education in the US as he was planning to, I told him that I was afraid. To me, the future at the other side of Pacific Ocean was unknown and uncertain, but Jiali made up his mind fearlessly. The latter stories were all familiar to us: Jiali finished his degree, and worked as a Research Scientist in University of New York and Washington University for the last 30 years. No one could calculate how many difficulties and hurdles that a Chinese-American student had to overcome in order to stick to his/her career in the US for that long. Again, Jiali’s fearless bravery prevailed. It is unfortunate that Jiali was diagnosed with late stage colon cancer in 2006. With the shadow cast by the disease, Jiali fearlessly fought back. He was willing to try any new medicine and new idea to fight against the seemingly unbeatable desease. He used all the possible oppotunities to travel before it was too late: he visited China, Europe, Hawaii, South California, East coat, met classmates, sent hundreds and hundreds photos to friends to share his view of the world. Many of us saved and treasured the photos that he sent to us. Jiali prolonged his life more than four times longer than the doctor’s prediction. His courage and his love for life won profound respect from all friends and people who know him. Even when he passed away, he was called as a “HERO”. The courage and fearless bravery with which Jiali fought against the political turmoil, against the chllange of immigration, against the deadly desease, have inspired all of us. His legacy becomes a value we should all treasure: always be brave and stand tall with dignity when facing challenges of life. Jiali, you will be dearly missed and long remembered.