Obituary of Ke Li

Ke Li was born on August 26, 1937 in Gongyi County, Henan Province, China. His father was Xingqiao Li(deceased), his mother Songyan Song (deceased), and he had a sister Mian Li (deceased) and brother Jie Li. As the eldest son, his parents attached great importance to his education. From primary school, he was sent to Beijing, studying in Beijing No. 41 Middle School, and later Nankai University in 1956. In university, he studied nuclear physics. Because of his natural talent and strong desire to learn, coupled with acquired diligence and a good education, he built a solid foundation for his later work. However, due to special circumstances, he could not work in the corresponding major after graduation and was instead assigned to the Beijing Academy of Petrochemical Sciences to engage in chemical industry and oil refining. Although the job did not match his major, he quickly adapted with his strong self-studying ability. He worked at this company for 36 years until he retired in 1997. During the period, he achieved many major breakthroughs in his work and many awards, including the honor of senior engineer at the national professor level and deputy chief engineer of the research institute. It was in this work that he has also guided and trained several graduate students and in this work that he had gotten to know his wife and lifelong partner Yulan Sun. Together, they would have his two daughters Danmei and Tongmei Li.

Ke is survived by his loving wife Yulan Sun of 59 years; his dearest daughters Danmei (Mark) and Tongmei (Zhiping Gu); cherished grandchildren  Dipa Li, Helene Li Gu and Colin Li Gu; his adoring brother Jie Li and his adoring Niece Jiexin Luo and many many cousins, nieces and nephews. 

The Celebration of Life Service for Ke will be held on Wednesday Nov 1st from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at McMurrough Funeral Chapel, 101 Park Pl, Libertyville, IL 60048. Visitors may log into the service via Zoom at this LINK