Obituary of Runquan Zhou

Runquan Zhou was born in Tianjin, China to parents native to Zhenhai, Ningbo. He grew up with one sister and two brothers. His father was a self-taught businessman, his mother a busy housewife. He was happily married for 55 years, and has two sons and three grandchildren.

Throughout his life, Runquan always followed these philosophies: normal and ordinary, honest and happy, optimistic and generous, humble and courteous, kindness towards others, and “hard to come by muddle”. He is a devoted son, a loyal partner, a wise parent, and a funny and loving grandpa. He has made countless friends throughout his life. Be they old or new, close or casual, he has always been warm, giving, and a force of positivity. In return, he relished the happiness and wisdom his friends imparted on him.

Runquan was always bright and eager to learn; graduating from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Tianjin University in 1957 with straight As. Due to the political environment in China and his family background, he failed to realize his desires to pursue graduate studies abroad and become a professor. Post-graduation, Runquan was assigned to the Tianjin Machine Tool Factory. He was part of a group of promising young college graduates who were mentored by the prestigious Chief Engineer Pan and subsequently became the technical backbone of the factory. At the young age of 26, Runquan was promoted to Engineer, specializing in hydraulic design and manufacturing. Unlike his peers, he saw strengths in everyone around him, regardless of their background. This skill afforded him the hard-earned respect of the factory workers. 

In his spare time, Runquan devoted himself to teaching at a part-time Mechanical Engineering college. He had numerous students throughout his teaching career, one of them being his wife and lifelong love, Meng Guangping. Runquan and Guangping were married in 1965, and have two sons, Cheng Zhou and Yong Zhou. Runquan was not an overbearing father, but he attached great importance to his children's character and conduct. 

After the Cultural Revolution, Runquan reached the peak of his career, entering a position of technical leadership. His mastery of technology management and insights into new industrial trends allowed him to make efficient and propitious decisions. His work won him the trust of the company and earned him the “Special Government Allowances from the State Council” in 1992. Runquan valued an unassuming life and kept away from whirlpools of power and fame, always upholding the principles of humility, prudence, integrity. Although Runquan’s strong moral principles impacted his career, he was well-respected by everyone.

In an unexpected turn of events, Runquan’s proudest moments in his long career came after his retirement in the 1990s. After retiring from his technical leadership position, Runquan devoted himself to the emerging asset appraisal industry. With his deep industrial background and keen mind, he quickly became an authority in the business. His dedication to learning about a new field and working with the younger generation allowed him to realize his second career.

Entering the new century, Runquan immigrated to the United States to stay with his younger son Yong Zhou and help take care of his grandchildren. He loved playing with the kids and being present during those memorable moments. He did not mind being the butt of their numerous jokes; he simply wanted to be their best friend.
 

In his later years, his curiosity of new technologies brought Runquan a new hobby: photo editing. He volunteered in his senior fellowship community to help others learn how to use the iPad to create personalized photos. Runquan has often said that photo editing has allowed him to express his artistic skills and perception of life.

Runquan loves current affairs, food, movies, music and new things. He dreams of conducting a symphony orchestra to play an endless and beautiful piece of music.

Rest in peace, Runquan. May there be more joy and laughter in heaven.

周润泉出生在中国天津，籍贯宁波镇海。他的父亲是一位自学成才的商人， 母亲是一位操劳忙碌的家庭主妇。周润泉在家行幺，上有一姊和二兄。周润泉成家五十五年，育有二子和三孙。

周润泉一生遵从平凡普通，正直快乐，乐观大度，谦卑礼让，与人为善，难得糊涂的生活哲理。他是一个孝顺的晚辈，忠诚的伴侣，睿智的家长，有趣可爱的爷爷。他一生结交了无数的朋友，无论是发小，知心，忘年，还是一面之缘，他都能无私地帮助和积极地影响他们，并从中获取快乐和智慧。

周润泉自幼聪明好学，一九五七年以全优成绩毕业于天津大学机械工程系。由于当时中国的政治环境和他的家庭背景，他未能实现留学苏联深造和留校任教的愿望，毕业后被分配到天津市机床厂。他和一批年轻有为的大学生在业界很有声望的潘总工程师的培养下， 很快成为了机床厂的技术骨干。一九六二年他被破格晋升为工程师，专长于液压设计和制造。有别于大部分知识分子的清高，他善于发掘周围所有人的长处，很快成了厂内少有的受车间工人尊敬的技术人员。业余时间他倾力于自己喜好的业余大学授课，他的学生桃李天下，其中就有他的最爱，随影相伴一生的妻子孟广平。

周润泉和孟广平于一九六五年结为伉俪，育有二子，周诚和周咏。他不是事必躬亲的父亲，但是对孩子的性格和品行教育十分重视。他热爱家庭，孝顺父母，疼爱妻子，节省自律，宽以待人。

文化大革命以后，周润泉达到了职业的高峰，进入到技术领导岗位，他对技术管理结合的领悟和对新技术产业的追踪，力助他多次实施远见高效的决策，赢得了公司和业界的信任，并从一九九二年起享有国务院政府特殊津贴。他始终秉持谦虚谨慎，正直低调的做人原则，洁身自好，不混入权利和名利的漩涡。虽然短期工作受到一些影响，但最终他赢得了所有人的尊重。

九十年代退休后，他又投身于新兴的资产评估行业，他以深厚工业背景和快速吸纳新知识的能力很快就成为工业资产评估界的权威，这也是他认为自己人生最得意的一段时光。学以致用，给予奉献，和年轻人在一起打拼，让他实现了职业生涯第二春和真正的自我价值。

在新的世纪， 他随次子周咏移民美国，帮助照料孙辈。他总是能和孩子们玩儿到一起，干心做孩子们的捉弄对象，全心享受天伦之乐。

到了晚年，对新知识和技术的好奇又使得他成为IPAD和虚拟照片制作的爱好者。在老年公寓里，他志愿帮助其他老年朋友们使用IPAD，制作个人化的虚拟照片来庆祝特别时刻。他总是说这些虚拟照片就是他对艺术的灵感和人生的感悟。

周润泉喜爱时事，美食，电影，音乐和新鲜事物。他梦想着成为一名指挥，驾驭着一支交响乐团，演奏出一曲无尽的美丽音乐篇章。

周润泉一路走好，天堂里面一定又多了一份欢乐和笑声。