Ai Chun Fang of Potomac, Maryland passed away on Sunday, April 9, 2017 at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. She was 93.

She was the devoted wife of the late Mr. Chao Kai Fang; loving mother of six children, John Fang, Mary Chang, Peter Fang, Edith Winter, Andrew Fang and Janice Fang-Yi; caring grandmother of eleven grandchildren, Veronica Krevinko, Patrick Fang, Joanne Wierda, Peter Chang, James Chang, Enoch Chang, Aaron Fang, Adrian Fang, Adam Fang, Joanie Winter, and Camryn Yi, and wonderful great grandmother of nine great grandchildren, Kaitlyn Fang, Hanna Fang, Aston Fang, Brooke Fang, Harrison Fang, Lukas Krevinko, Aleah Fang, Jeslyn Fang and Kylie Chang. 

Ai Chun was born in Futshing, China on August 22, 1923 to the late  Zhong Rong Fang and Xian Song Yu.  She was one of twelve children, nine of whom unfortunately passed away during childhood from malnutrition. In addition to good health during childhood, Ai Chun was also fortunate to earn scholarships which allowed her to attend boarding school. From grade school and throughout college, she was always at the top of her class.  She was an avid reader and a brilliant mathematician.   She graduated #1 from Sun Yat-Sen University with a degree in mathematics in 1944, and she received the Lin Sen Scholarship four times.  In addition to being academically gifted, Ai Chun also was talented in art and won art competitions at the provincial level in which she represented Fukien province.  

 
Ai Chun married Chao Kai Fang around 1946, and they moved to Taiwan in 1947.  In Taiwan, she taught calculus and physics at high school and at Cheng Kung University.  In 1956, she bought her family to America.  She and her husband both received their master degrees in 1962  from George Washington University.  Her math career continued when she entered NASA in 1964.  Ai Chun was instrumental in developing equations for satellites and the Apollo moon landing.   She received NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center performance award and group award in 1969.   In addition, she advanced to work in NASA headquarters and was promoted to GS-15.  In 1991, Ai Chun retired from NASA to take care of her ill husband. She continued to help her grandchildren and friends over the years.  She was always very generous with her time, and she helped many persons in need including helping people obtain employment.  Furthermore, she was a strong Christian and brought many to Christ.  Ai Chun will dearly missed by her family as she now is in heaven with the Lord Jesus.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Ai Chun's life on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at St. James' Episcopal Church, 11815 Seven Locks Road, Potomac, Maryland. Viewing will start at 10 AM followed by the funeral service at 11 AM. Burial will be held at 1:30 PM at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Flowers may be sent in memory of Ai C. Fang at www.aspenhillflorist.com or (301) 460-4900.

Donations may be sent to TBN, Post Office Box A, Santa Ana, California  92711-2101 with a note in memory of Ai C. Fang.
 

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