On February 11, 2019, Dr. Di Yang passed away peacefully at the age of 60. Although this propempticon bears sad tidings, his life has been anything but downcast. He was born on September 28, 1958 in the Hebei province of China. He grew up with an indefatigable sense of optimism, never failing to strive for the better. His studies brought him to Beijing, where he flourished and found his calling in the world of metals and ceramics. While pursuing his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Science and Technology Beijing, he met and married his loving wife, Liping Li.

Together, they made the difficult decision to leave their family and friends behind, embarking on a journey to Raleigh, North Carolina. There, he found a forever home. He thoroughly enjoyed his work in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at North Carolina State University, publishing papers and conducting groundbreaking research. His thirst for knowledge and love of cars drove him to Troy, Michigan, where he and his family lived for seven years. During his brief stints in Michigan and Tennessee, he worked in the automotive industry as Technical Director. His numerous contributions to the field, from patents to processes, have kept countless drivers safe on the roads. While his achievements led him across the country, his heart remained in Raleigh, where he returned to be with his family.

More than anything else, Di will always be remembered for his profound dedication and devotion to those he loved. He is survived by his loving wife, Liping, and children Liyuan, Annie, Jennie, and Richard. He was an industrious and dedicated father and husband, tirelessly working to provide a good life for his family. He instilled his passion for academics in his children, who are currently attending or have attended Princeton University and hope to become physicians in the future. He will always be in their hearts, living on through the memories and stories he loved to tell.

Di was fond of jokes, planes, and stories about heroic journeys. He is being laid to rest after a fulfilling life, but his expedition through the Terra Nova is only beginning to take flight. Although his family will miss him dearly and wishes he hadn't departed so soon, they understand that he was never one to sit still in one place for long. He was always eager to embark on new adventures, relishing the journey, even though the ending often eluded him. His boundless hope for a brighter future for himself and his loved ones, in spite of life's uncertainties, perfectly encapsulates Tennyson's Ulysses : "To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."

A private gathering to celebrate Di's life will take place on February 15, 2019 at Montlawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home in Raleigh, North Carolina.