Fuqing Zhang, distinguished professor of meteorology in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences at Penn State, died Friday, July 19, not long after being diagnosed with cancer. He was 49.

Zhang will be remembered for his energy, enthusiasm, good sense of humor and love of life. He also will be remembered for his many contributions to his field, particularly in data assimilation and prediction science; for the numerous early-career scientists he mentored; and the myriad scientists from other disciplines whom he introduced to data assimilation.

Zhang's daughter, Lily, shared, "My dad deeply loved his job and considered Penn State his home. He cared for his students and visitors like family and always spoke highly of his colleagues. Even when he was close to death, Dad kept fighting, not for himself but for science. He said he wanted his life and illness to be able to serve future generations. Dad took immense pride in being a scientist and he was one until the end. I hope that his dedication can serve as an inspiration to all of us and that the Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science continues his academic legacy.”

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Fuqing Zhang