Hua Xiao Gu's Obituary
Mr. Hua Xiao Gu, 85, of Concord, passed away Wednesday, October 16, 2024.
The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Thursday, October 24, 2024 at James Funeral Home. Funeral services will start at 10:30 a.m. and conclude at 12 noon. Committal services will follow at NorthLake Memorial Gardens.
Biographical Introduction and Remembrance
Dear friends, dear brothers and sisters of the Love Church:
Today, we gather together with heavy hearts to bid farewell to my beloved father, Mr. Gu Huaxiao. He was born in March 1939 into a Christian family and was influenced by his father and grandfather from a young age, living a life of faith. On October 16, 2024, after listening to the pastor’s final prayer at home, he peacefully passed away at the age of 86. As it is said in the Psalms: “He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither; whatever he does prospers.” My father’s life resembled this tree; despite experiencing storms and hardships, he was rooted in the fertile ground of faith. Regardless of the changing circumstances, he remained steadfast and faithfully lived out his beliefs, leading a fulfilling and meaningful life.
His childhood was spent amidst the turmoil of war, filled with hardships. He never met his grandfather, Gu Daohe, who was from Shangyu, Shaoxing, Zhejiang. This branch of the family tree was nearly destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, but it was fortunately preserved as a cultural relic at the Tianyi Pavilion in Ningbo, Zhejiang. Over a hundred years ago, Gu Daohe was influenced by the American missionary Waddy H. Hudson (one of the founders of Xiuzhou Middle School) in Jiaxing, Zhejiang, and converted to become a devout Christian. This decision led all his children to become believers and influenced the life trajectories of generations to come. The only surviving photograph shows him with his first three sons, with my grandfather as the second in the middle. My grandfather, Gu Huiren, was a renowned patriotic educator who graduated from Shanghai Guanghua University in 1927, majoring in secondary education. He served as the instructional director at Xiuzhou Middle School and became its principal in 1930, holding the position for 28 years. In 1936, he earned a Master of Arts degree from Columbia University Teachers College in less than a year. Unfortunately, he was wrongly labeled as a rightist during the “Anti-Rightist Movement” in 1958. My father had four siblings: Gu Meili, Gu Meiyi, Gu Huazhong, and Gu Meide, with my dad being the fourth. The names of my aunts and uncles, along with my father’s name, reveal that my grandfather, despite receiving a Western education, retained the most traditional Confucian values of loyalty, filial piety, propriety, righteousness, and virtue. This was validated by his educational practices. During his tenure as principal at Xiuzhou, he adopted American educational methods while instilling Christian teachings and imparting ideas of “democracy, freedom, fraternity, and equality” alongside traditional Chinese values. He recognized the educational crisis of the time, namely the “urbanization of schools, commodification of knowledge, and politicization of teachers and students,” and proposed forward-thinking educational theories nearly ninety years ago, including the theories of four modernizations and primacy: “making schools familial, discipline-oriented living, scientific thinking, and civic-minded physicality.” Education in schools prioritizes character development. Teachers should embody the love of Christ, engage deeply in reflection, and teach with an integrated approach to cultivate students through the three aspects of personality education: “truth education, virtue education, and beauty education.” These educational principles he witnessed and absorbed deeply planted seeds in my father’s young heart.
My grandmother was named Zhang Caimao, and my father’s maternal grandfather, Zhang Binsun, was a construction contractor. His maternal grandmother, Wang Cuiling, raised him. My grandmother came from a prominent family in Ningbo, and her ancestors served as the emperor’s educators during the Qing Dynasty. After marrying my grandfather, she gave up a lucrative position at Hujiang University in Shanghai to teach at Xiuzhou Middle School. During her time at Ganzhou Christian Union High School, she took over as an English teacher without the presence of foreign teachers. She was not only the English tutor to many who later became leading figures in various disciplines but also a supportive wife managing household affairs. Due to connections to a national army general, the Zhang family in mainland China suffered inhumane persecution.
My father was born when the war of resistance against Japan was at its peak, and his childhood was spent in hardship and dislocation, with places like Jiaxing, Hangzhou, Huzhou, Mogan Mountain, Shanghai, and Ganzhou marking his early life. He completed his elementary and middle school education at Xiuzhou. In his childhood memories, his companions were a cat and a dog, and he was too afraid to tell classmates that he was Principal Gu’s son. From an early age, he felt he was just an ordinary student without any privileges. After the civil war, he studied alone at Hangzhou No. 2 Middle School.
My father was exceptionally talented and graduated from Hangzhou No. 2 Middle School at the age of sixteen with excellent grades. In August 1955, he was admitted to the Food Engineering Department of Nanjing Institute of Technology. Unfortunately, in October 1955, he received the tragic news that my grandmother had committed suicide by jumping into the river when he was only sixteen. Subsequently, due to institutional changes at the school, he transferred in September 1958 to Wuxi Institute of Light Industry, majoring in grain industry, and with a determined spirit, he completed his studies, graduating smoothly in 1960. During his university years, he met the love of his life—my mother, Chen Enze. They were classmates, and during that idealistic youth, they formed a deep bond that lasted a lifetime. He devotedly cared for my mother, especially during her illness, for nearly 40 years, deserving of all praise. He was a thoughtful and reliable husband, and a strong and noble father.
After graduating from university, from September 1960 to December 1981, my father was assigned to Zhengzhou Grain Institute, working in the storage department. In January 1961, my parents happily married, but in the spring of that year, my grandfather suffered a fatal brain hemorrhage due to high blood pressure while at work. The photo of them as newlyweds became my grandfather’s last photo, taken when my father was just twenty-one. Soon after, my father took students to Xinjiang to harvest grain and organized transportation for disaster relief. In 1964, my father welcomed his first child at my mother’s family home, which was relatively well-off. In 1970, when my mother gave birth to me in a hospital in Henan’s mountainous area, a tragedy unfolded as my father was publicly criticized and humiliated at the struggle sessions. My father, considering the well-being of his wife and child, endured the pain and humiliation with the strong will of a Christian. During that absurd time when they could misinterpret a printer as a telegraph, anything could happen. Our family’s experience is a microcosm of the millions of families that suffered persecution. As the scripture says in Proverbs 9:9: “Instruct a wise man, and he will be even wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.” Through fervent prayer, God demonstrated His power. The decade of turmoil ended in 1979 when the Jiaxing County Committee of the Communist Party of China rehabilitated my grandfather and restored his political reputation. In January 1982, after enduring hardships, our family obtained four household registrations in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. My father transferred to Nanjing Grain Economic Institute (now known as Nanjing University of Finance and Economics) to work in the storage department. In his teaching position, he not only imparted knowledge but also cared for the students’ lives, work, and dreams, teaching them the principles of gratitude and helping others. He nourished every student with his faith and wisdom, becoming an important guide in their lives. Through his diligent work, he trained a new generation of talents in grain storage for the country. During his time at both schools, he compiled national technology English textbooks and translated several important documents, such as “Theory and Practice of Grain Storage,” earning the titles of associate professor and professor. He deserved the praise of his students, who recognized him as “a virtuous teacher who inspires students with his character and knowledge.” As Proverbs 22:6 states: “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
Starting in 1990, he served as the Director of the Science and Technology Department and the Director of the Technology Development Department at Nanjing University of Finance and Economics, taking on national key scientific and technological projects. He studied in the United States as a visiting scholar on two occasions and became a drafter of the national standards for mink feed. He laid the foundation for the breeding technology of special animal feeds in China. During this time, he translated the latest scientific literature related to food, nutrition, and feed, particularly in the fields of pig farming, shrimp farming, and fur-bearing animal farming, making outstanding contributions to narrowing the gap between China and advanced countries in these industries. He also indirectly contributed to the urgent need for foreign exchange in the country. In his scientific research work, he achieved fruitful results through a rigorous, innovative, and diligent research attitude. His research outcomes were fully utilized, releasing significant economic and social value, for which the country honored him with various awards. He enjoyed a special allowance from the State Council of China, received the Ministry of Commerce’s Technology Advancement Award, and was recognized as an advanced worker in science and technology at Jiangsu Province, serving on various councils, including the Chinese Grain and Oil Association. He dedicated his life to China’s education and scientific research with hard work and commitment. His retirement was around 2008, although he seemed to have some re-employment.
My father’s life was dedicated to realizing his values through the spirit of Xiuzhou, characterized by simplicity and a detachment from fame and politics. His life was filled with love; he cared for everyone he interacted with in life and work, allowing us to constantly feel the teachings of “loving others as oneself.” His life was one of faith; he was honest and kind, always willing to help others without seeking any reward. This noble, selfless spirit earned him the respect of many. Let us thank the Lord for bestowing upon us His endless love and comfort. At this moment, let us support each other, united in our prayers to the Lord, while also being grateful for the wonderful times we shared with him in Christ.
My father’s life was also one of frugality and integrity; he had low demands for life and never wasted money on himself. He despised corruption and the embezzlement of public funds, believing that spending money earned through his own labor carried no burden. He thought of a profession not merely as a means to make a living, but as an ideal he wholeheartedly pursued, one that could also help many who needed assistance. He was concerned about the commercialization of education, believing that children should determine their own learning and career directions without excessive parental interference. His leisure time was spent reading the Bible and watching sports broadcasts; he once told me that all the answers to my questions could be found in the Bible and that reading the English version was better than the Chinese translation due to nuances lost in translation. His care and affection for his children and the children of relatives were meticulous; he would do anything to help them in their times of need.
My father’s life was also one of wisdom and humility. He advocated for independent thinking and avoided arguments, knowing they would only lead to conflict due to differing perceptions and values; he felt there was no need to persuade others to accept one’s views. He continued to use the power of love to better understand others, hoping that one day they might realize his good intentions. He was indifferent to honors, often emphasizing teamwork and passing opportunities to younger people, believing that each generation is stronger than the last. Because of this, he was well-respected at school, and every year during holidays, he was among the first retirees visited by the leadership.
My father’s life was full, joyful, and courageous. He was optimistic and cheerful, always organized and dedicated to his teaching and research work before retirement, rarely mentioning the past. With his unwavering faith, he shouldered the burdens of the family alone. After retiring, he began to exercise his legs and became the old man who loved to dance in the square. After moving to the U.S., I devised a code with him to help prevent dementia: I would say, “Live a day,” and he would reply, “Be happy for a day.” Even on his sickbed, he maintained this routine. I found comfort in hearing it every morning, and he displayed remarkable bravery in front of nurses and doctors, never complaining of pain, often greeting and thanking them. He used his final optimism and courage to inspire others.
My father’s passing is a tremendous loss for us, but as stated in 1 Corinthians: “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” My father’s love will always be with us, serving as our strength and comfort as we move forward. His actions throughout his life demonstrated the true meaning of faith, hope, and love.
I thank God for blessing me with the privilege of living alongside such a great father for 50 years, receiving his nurturing, guidance, education, and support. May my father rest in peace in heaven; I know he has reunited with my mother, grandparents, and uncles in the Kingdom, and we will always remember him, believing that he continues to watch over and protect us.
Today, we are not only bidding farewell to a family member but also celebrating his life. He has left us not only blood ties and memories but also the spirit and values he advocated. Through his actions, he taught us what true kindness, resilience, and loyalty are. He set an example for us, teaching us how to steadfastly move forward through life’s storms.
May our prayers and memorials serve as a tribute to him and a response to God’s grace. In this time of mourning, may our hearts find peace and strength in the Lord, knowing that He is our refuge and everlasting strength.
In the name of Christ, we pray.
Amen.
Forever loving you,
Your son, Gu Wei.
生平介绍和追思
亲爱的亲友，亲爱的以爱教会的弟兄姐妹们：
今天，我们齐聚一堂，怀着沉痛的心情送别我敬爱的父亲，顾华孝先生。他于1939年3月出生在一个基督教家庭，自幼受到父亲和祖父的影响，一生信主。2024年10月16日，父亲在家中，听完牧师的临终祷告，安详地离世，享年86岁。正如《诗篇》中所言：“他如一棵树栽在溪水旁，按时候结果子，叶子也不枯干；他所做的尽都顺利。”父亲的一生仿佛这棵树，尽管经历了风雨坎坷，却扎根在信仰的沃土中，无论环境如何变化，他始终坚定不移，忠实地履行他的信念，过着充实而有意义的生活。
他的童年在战火纷飞中度过，充满了风雨漂泊，他从出生就未与他的爷爷谋面，他的爷爷叫顾道和，浙江绍兴上虞人，这一脉家谱，在文革期间险被烧毁，幸被视为文物珍藏在浙江宁波市天一阁。一百年多前顾道和在浙江嘉兴受美国传教士花第生（Waddy H.Hudsan）先生（秀州中学创始人之一）感化，皈依为虔诚的基督徒，此举影响了所有子女都成为信徒，也影响到子子孙孙的人生轨迹。仅存的一张照片上面是他，下面是顾道和的前3个儿子，我的爷爷排名第二，在中间，我的爷爷叫顾惠人，著名爱国教育家，他于1927年上海光华大学中学教育专业毕业，任秀州中学训导主任，1930年起一直担任校长1936年用不到一年的时间拿到美国哥伦比亚大学师范学院文学硕士，回国先后担任华东联中，赣州基督教联中校长，秀州中学校长，在秀州中学做了长达28年的校长。1958年“反右”运动中错误打成右派。我的爸爸有4个兄弟姐妹，分别是顾美礼，顾美义，顾华忠，顾美德，我爸排列第四。从我姑姑伯伯和我爸的名字不难看出我爷爷虽然接受了西方教育，忠、孝、礼、义、德，说明我爷爷在他的内心底蕴中任然保有最传统的中国儒家文化。这一点在他的治学实践中得到证实，他在秀中担任校长期间，学校采用美式的教育方式，弘扬基督教义的同时，向学生灌输“民主、自由、博爱、平等”的思想，同时也有中国传统思想，他看到了当时教育危机，即“学校都市化，知识商品化，师生政治化”的问题，他在九十年前提出了具有前瞻性教育理论，四化和第一的理论即“学校家庭化，生活纪律化，头脑科学化，身手平民化”，学校教育，第一学做人。教师需做到用基督教的大爱，深切潜修，教训合一的方法去感悟学生，用人格教育的三育，“真育、善育、美育。”去关爱学生成长。这些耳闻目睹的教育理念在我爸爸幼小心灵深深地埋下种子。
我的奶奶叫张才茂，我爸的外公叫张斌荪，是一名建筑施工的承包商，我爸的外婆叫王翠玲，我爸从小由他的外婆带大。我的奶奶出身宁波望族，其祖为满清皇帝帝师而兴旺，与我爷爷结婚后后放弃上海沪江大学较高收入，跟随我爷爷在秀州中学从教。在赣州联中时没有随行外籍教师的情况下接替我爷爷做英文老师，她既是多名以后成为各学科泰斗的英文启蒙老师“女秀才”，又是持家操持家庭生活的“贤内助”。因族内有国军将领受牵连，留在大陆的张家遭到惨无人道的迫害。
我爸出生时正值抗战全面爆发，他的童年是在国难当头，颠沛流离中度过的，嘉兴，杭州，嘉兴，湖州，莫干山，上海，赣州是他小时候的轨迹，我爸他的小学初中生活都在在秀中，他的童年记忆里，伙伴是一只猫一条狗，和同学交往不敢说是顾校长的孩子。从小就感受到自己只是普通学生，没有特权。内战结束后只身在杭州二中读书。
我爸天资聪颖，年仅十六岁就以优异的成绩从杭州二中毕业，之后1955年8月考入南京工学院食品工程系接受教育，福兮祸之1955年10月得到我奶奶投河自尽的噩耗，当时我爸年仅十六岁。随后因学校改制1958年9月转入中国无锡轻工业学院粮食工业专业，以坚毅的精神完成了学业，并于1960年顺利毕业。在大学期间，他遇到了他一生的挚爱——我的母亲陈恩泽，他们是同班同学，在那个充满理想的青春岁月里结下了深厚的感情，并一直相伴终生，以他对我妈生病近40年无微不至，不离不弃的照顾，配得上任何赞美。他是个体贴可靠的丈夫；他是个坚毅、伟岸的父亲。
大学毕业后1960年9月至1981年12月父亲被分配到郑州粮食学院储藏系从事教学工作。1961年1月我的爸爸妈妈喜结连理，福兮祸之，当年春我的爷爷因高血压并发脑溢血倒在工作岗位上。当时新婚燕尔和爷爷的照片成为爷爷最后一张照片，当时我爸年仅二十一岁。随后我爸带学生去新疆挖粮食，组织运输救灾。1964年，我爸得到第一个孩子，在物资相对丰富的我妈的娘家。1970年我妈在河南的山沟里医院待产生我时，福兮祸之，而我爸却在批斗台“架飞机”蹲牛棚。我爸顾及医院的母子，强忍悲愤和屈辱，以基督徒强大意志顽强的活了下来。在那个能把打印机说成发报机的荒唐年代，发生什么事都是想象不到的。我们家的遭遇是上千万受迫害的家庭的缩影。正如主的话语，箴言 9:9
“教导智慧人，他就越发有智慧；指示义人，他就增长学问。” 在虔诚的祷告下，神展示了他的力量，十年浩劫结束，1979年中共嘉兴县委为我爷爷平反，恢复政治名誉。1982年1月，我们全家历经磨难获得4张南京户口迁入江苏省南京市，我爸调入中国南京粮食经济学院（现更名为南京财经大学）贮藏系从事教学工作。在教学岗位上，他不仅传授知识，而且关心学生的生活、工作和梦想，更教会学生做人的道理，懂得感恩和助人为乐。他始终用信仰和智慧滋养每一位学生，成为他们人生中的重要引导者，他用辛勤的工作为国家培养了一批又一批的粮食贮藏专业人才。在两校教学期间，编写了部编科技英语教材，翻译了《粮仓理论与实践》等多部文献，分别荣获副教授，教授职称。他配得学生们“恩师德才兼备铸师魂，为人师表桃李天下”的称赞。正如圣经箴言 22:6所言
“教养孩童，使他走当行的道，就是到老他也不偏离。”
1990年开始担任南京财经大学科技处处长兼科技开发部主任，开始承接国家“七五”、“八五”重点科技攻关项目，分别两次以访问学者身份去美国短期的学习深造，并成为中华人民共和国标准水貂饲料养殖技术标准的起草人，成为国家特种动物饲料养殖技术的奠基人。在此期间他翻译了最新科技文献，有涉及食品，营养，饲料领域的，尤其是生猪养殖，对虾养殖，毛皮特征动物养殖，直接为中国缩小了和先进国家的这些相关行业的差距做出了杰出贡献，也间接国家急需的增加的外汇做出了应有的贡献。他做科研工作中，用严谨求真创新坚持的研究态度，获得了丰硕的科研成果，伴随着他的科研成果被充分利用，释放出巨大的经济和社会价值，国家给与我爸相当多荣誉，他享受中国国务院津贴，先后获得商业部技术进步奖，江苏省高校科技先进工作者等荣誉，并担任中国粮油协会理事等职务。他用辛勤的工作为中国教育和科研事业奉献了宝贵的一生。他的退休时间大约在2008年，好像有返聘的时间。
父亲的一生以秀州精神为实现自我价值的目标，淡泊名利，远离政治。他的一生又是充满爱的一生，关爱身边每一个生活和工作有交集的人，让我们时刻感受到“爱人如己”的教导。他一生是信主的一生，他为人正直善良，无论何时都愿意乐于助人，不求回报。这种高尚，无私奉献、光明磊落的精神赢得的大家的尊敬。让我们感谢主，因他赐予我们那无穷的爱和安慰。这个时候，让我们彼此扶持，同心向主献上我们的祷告，同时也感恩我们曾经与他在基督里共度的美好时光。
父亲的一生又是节俭廉洁的一生，对生活的要求不高，他从不浪费钱在自己身上。他痛恨中饱私囊，侵吞公款的行为，他认为用自己劳动所得的钱，用的没有负担。他认为职业不是糊口谋生用的，而是要作为一种理想，自己全身心愿意去做的，并且可以帮助到很多有需要帮助的人或事的。他担心教育产业化的问题，认为孩子们的学习方向和工作方向需要由他们自己定，不需要父母的过多的干预。他的休息时间就是看看圣经和体育比赛直播，他告诉过我圣经里有我想知道的所有问题的答案，看英文版比中译文好，因为翻译的缘故，理解上会有些差别。他对自己孩子和亲戚家的孩子关心和爱护是无微不至的，愿用尽一切去帮助他们，在他们最需要的时候。
父亲的一生又是睿智和谦虚的一生。他倡导独立思考，他不愿和人争论，因为争论的最后会有矛盾，因为各自认知的不同时期，价值观世界观人生观也不尽相同，没有必要说服对方一定要接受你的观点。他爸会继续用爱的力量更好的感悟对方，也许他有一天会明白他的良苦用心。荣誉面前他看得淡薄，总是强调团队，把这些让给更需要的年轻人，因为他相信，任何时候都是一代比一代强的。正因如此，我爸在学校享有盛名，每年过年过节他是领导第一批探望的退休职工。
父亲的一生是充实快乐勇敢的一生。他是乐观开朗的，退休前每天收拾整洁，信心满满地投入教学和科研工作，很少提及以前的事，他用自己坚定的信仰，独自扛着一家子的重担。退休后开始去锻炼腿脚，成为最爱跳广场舞的老头，来美后，我为防他老年痴呆，我们有暗号，我说“活一天，”他说“快乐一天”，直至病床前每天坚持，我每天早上听到就很放心，他在护士医生面前表现的也很勇敢，从未叫苦叫疼，经常向他（她）们问好感谢。他这是用最后的乐观和勇敢感染他人。
父亲的离世对我们来说是巨大的损失，但正如《哥林多前书》所言：“如今常存的有信，有望，有爱，这三样，其中最大的是爱。”父亲的爱将永远与我们同在，成为我们前行的力量和安慰。他用一生的行动向我们展示了信仰、希望和爱的真正意义。
感谢神，我是有福的。可以和这么伟大的父亲共同生活了50年，接受了他的养育，培养，教育和帮助。愿父亲在天国安息，我知道，他已在天国和我母亲相会，与我的爷爷奶奶和大姑大伯相会，我们会永远怀念他，并相信他一直关注庇护我们。
今天，我们不仅是在告别一位亲人，更是在庆祝他的一生。他留给我们的，不仅是血脉和记忆，还有他所倡导的精神与价值。他用行动告诉我们，什么是真正的善良、坚韧与忠诚。他为我们树立了榜样，教会我们如何在人生的风雨中坚定不移地前行。
愿我们的祷告和纪念成为对他的敬意，也是对神的恩典的回应。在悼念的过程中，愿我们的心在主里找到平安和力量，知道主是我们的避难所，是永远的力量。
在基督的名义里，我们祷告。
阿门
永远爱您的儿子 顾卫
James Funeral Home is assisting the family, online condolences may be made at www.jamesfuneralhomelkn.com.
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