Farewell, Professor Tony Lee

Text: Kun-Ruey Shieh, Professor of Physiology, and Dean of the Office of Student Affairs
Translation: Steve J. Lin

Professor Tony Jer-Fu Lee was born in 1942, and grew up in Hualien. After completing his undergraduate program in, Taipei Medical University, Department of Pharmacy, he pursued his advanced studies at West Virginia University, USA. Professor Lee went for two-year postdoctoral training at UCLA, and later joined Southern Illinois University, College of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, as an Assistant Professor. Professor Lee served at Southern Illinois University until his retirement in 2002, as an Honorary Professor.

Professor Lee took part in a conference sponsored by Tzu Chi, and encountered Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s teaching that “We should be grateful for what we have, cherish it, and make best use of it to serve others.” Back then, he lived far away from his hometown of Hualien and missed his hometown. He thought about doing something for Taiwan and Hualien, to invigorate research capability and nurture students and faculty members, while he was still at his peak. In 2002, he decided to come back to Hualien, joined Tzu Chi University’s faculty, and devoted himself to teaching and research, with great enthusiasm. His great efforts have nurtured many researchers, and greatly expanded research capabilities.

From 2002 to 2013, Professor Lee served as Dean of the College of Life Sciences. He did his best to assist and encourage students, and guided younger faculty members in the biomedical field, both in teaching and research. Professor Lee was also willing to assist anyone, whenever he was asked. In addition to administering the College of Life Sciences, he served as Director of the Institute of Neuroscience in 2006, and from 2010 to 2011, he chaired the Department of Life Sciences.

Professor Lee was chief editor of the Japanese Journal of Pharmacology for the North American Region, and after retiring from that position, he was named Honorary Chief Editor by the Japanese Pharmacological Society for his outstanding contributions. Professor Lee was loved and highly respected in Taiwan, and he was elected to serve in numerous professional organizations. He served as a board member in the Neuroscience Society of Taiwan, and was elected that society’s president from 2007 to 2009. Moreover, Professor Lee has been a board member of Pharmacological Society in Taiwan. Professor Lee always gave of himself unselfishly in guiding others, in the fields of cardiovascular science, neuroscience, and pharmacology.

Professor Lee, we are deeply saddened by your passing. We are grateful to you, and wish you the best!

You will be our Dean forever. Farewell, Professor Tony Lee!