Yang Wei, professor of political science at the Shih Hsin University, president of the Vanguard Institute for Policy Studies, Taipei, Taiwan, and president of the Sino-American Cultural and Economic Association of the Republic of China, passed away on March 3, 2004, after a valiant battle with cancer. A political scientist of international standing, Dr. Wei's career encompassed many different fields that included professorships in political science teaching and research, along with presidencies of academic and professional associations, and service in the Republic of China (ROC) cabinet and parliament.

Born in Wu-chan, Hupeh, China in 1937, Dr. Wei received most of his education in Taiwan. He obtained an L.L.B. from the National Chengchi University. After coming to the United States, he received an M.A. and a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Oregon. On completion of his doctorate, Dr. Wei joined the political science department at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (1966–1968) and then accepted a similar position at the University of Memphis (1968–1977). While at Memphis, he was granted a visiting scholar position at the University of Michigan (1969) and at the Hoover Institute, Stanford University (1974–1975). He returned to the Institute in 1999–2000 as a Distinguished Visiting Fellow.

In 1975, Dr. Wei returned to Taiwan to become deputy director of the Institute of International Relations, National Chengchi University. In the following year, he was appointed to the Executive Yuan (Cabinet) and was chose Chairman of the Research, Development, and Evaluation Commission (RDEC), a post he was to hold for 12 years. During this long tenure, he is credited with introducing many theories and research methods of policy and behavioral sciences applicable to administrative reforms in the ROC government. He was a strong proponent of the modernization of Taiwanese society.

In 1991, Dr. Wei ran for and was elected to a seat in the Legislative Yuan (Parliament). During his three-year tenure, he served as chair of the Foreign Relations Committee. In this capacity, he led legislative delegations representing the Parliament on missions to France, Japan, Russia, and the United States. Upon leaving public service, Dr. Wei established the Vanguard Institute which he headed until his untimely death.

Yung was heavily involved in research. He was the author of numerous books and articles on political behavior, policy science, international relations, and comparative political development. His contributions are found in such sources as the Journal of Politics, Polity, International Lawyer, Studies in Comparative Communism, Asian Survey, Asian Perspective, and Asian Forum. Dr. Wei was also a member of Pi Sigma Alpha, APSA, the International Studies Association, and the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

Both as a scholar and as a practitioner, Dr. Wei received voluminous awards and honors for his many contributions. A brief listing would include: the University of Oregon's Jeremiah Distinguished Speaker Award, a visiting scholarship at the Brookings Institution, a Distinguished Visiting Fellowship at Harvard University's Fairbank Center for East Asian Research, and a fellowship at Columbia University's Bureau of Applied Social Research. He also received awards in Taiwan for his services in both the Cabinet and the Parliament.

On the personal side, Yung was very engaged and interested in all aspects of governance. His interaction with his professional colleagues was always warm and stimulating. He was unique not only in his conceptual theorybuilding, but also in applying it to life experiences. His entire professional life can be seen as exploring the human condition across international boundaries. Yung's untimely death leaves his many former colleagues and friends with a great sense of loss and sadness.

Dr. Wei was a devoted husband and father. His wife, Serena, was very supportive in all of Yung's undertakings. She obtained degrees from both the National Taiwan University (NTU) and the University of Oregon. She served as a professional librarian at both the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and at the University of Memphis. After resettling in Taipei, she taught at the National University until she retired in 2001. Yung and Serena are the parents of two daughters, Yvonne and Lynn. Yvonne, the eldest, graduated from NTU and completed graduate work in Sociology at the University of North Carolina. She then attended the University of Texas (Austin) where she obtained a Master's degree in accounting. She is currently employed by IBM as an auditor and financial analyst. She is based in Tokyo, serving as a field investigator. Lynn, after graduating with honors from NTU, has been employed at Yung's office at the Vanguard Foundation in various capacities. She is presently an executive assistant and program planner.