Cheng Hong

          Cheng Hong passed away the morning of December 2nd, 2025, at his home in Chicago, Illinois. He was 57 years old.

          On July 13th, 1968, Cheng Hong was born in Wuhan, China, to Zicong Hong and Zhaoming Hu. He graduated from Tongji Medical College in 1992 and later received a Master’s degree in Diagnostic Radiology Physics from the same institution in 1997. In 2001, he obtained a PhD in Radiology Physics from the Technical University of Munich. Cheng was an exceptional radiologist in China and continued his work in healthcare and research at multiple universities in the US.    

          Aside from his work as a radiologist, Cheng started a loving family when he married Fang Zhu, a colleague from school, in September 1997. Together, they had two sons: Jeffrey and Lewis. Cheng and Fang were lifelong partners dedicated to providing their children with a better life, as they supported one another throughout their respective careers. 

          He enjoyed sports of all kinds and could frequently be found watching ping-pong, badminton, volleyball, or soccer. Cheng shared his passion for sports with his children, teaching them both to play ping-pong and cheering them on from the sidelines at cross-country meets and soccer matches. Later in life, he developed an interest in gardening, meticulously designing his backyard garden throughout the year, and breathing life and greenery into the home. 

          Cheng is preceded in death by his mother, Zhaoming, and father, Zicong. He is survived by his wife, Fang, his two sons, Jeffrey and Lewis, and many loving friends. 

          My father was quiet and could be stern. At times, it could be difficult to get along with him, but he prepared his children to survive in a world without him. Cheng was a good man who was hurt by the world, but was trying to be better, and was taken away too soon. Still, he lived every day being as dependable as everyone needed him to be. Dirty dishes left on the counter were clean on the drying rack the next morning, laundry was folded on the bed every week, and no one was less than 20 minutes early to school or any other event. He was a standard to live by and will be missed.

          A service is planned, but a date has yet to be announced.