Dr. Nai-Siang Jiang
Monday, March 30, 1931
Date of Death:
Friday, November 12, 2021
Age:
90 years old
Monday, March 30, 1931
Date of Death:
Friday, November 12, 2021
Age:
90 years old
Monday, March 30, 1931
Date of Death:
Friday, November 12, 2021
Age:
90 years old
Dr. Nai-Siang Jiang
Dr. Nai-Siang Jiang, 90, of Rochester, Minnesota died Friday November 12, 2021 peacefully in his sleep at Charter House, his home of 2 years. He lived the previous 44 years on his beloved Ridge Court property in Rochester.
Nai- Siang was born on the first day of Spring 1931 in Nanjing, China to YunZhi and SunDe Jiang, the 6th of 7 children. Shortly before the Communist takeover of China in 1949, Nai escaped to Taiwan, where he began to study Chemistry at National Taiwan University, while working nights at the Nationalist Air Force Telecommunications Headquarters. In Taiwan he met the love his life and future wife Helen (Hai-lan) Chen. She wanted to go to the United States to graduate school and encouraged Nai to apply for a scholarship in the US also. Overcoming hardship, Nai emigrated to the United States in 1957 , and went on to earn a doctorate in biochemistry at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. He and Helen married in 1959.
In 1966 Nai-Siang moved north to Rochester, Minnesota with Helen and their two young children to begin a wonderful career at the Mayo Clinic, where he became Director of the Endocrine Laboratory and Head of Section of Clinical Chemistry. He enjoyed his work and colleagues at Mayo and brought his best to the advancement of the science of medicine and to the mission and culture of the Mayo clinic during a time of great changes in medicine and at Mayo. One colleague described Dr. Jiang as “a man of vision and intellect with his skills focused on practical application.” Dr. Jiang preferred another colleague’s comment “Nai is a perfect gentleman in all respects”. As the first Asian staff consultant at Mayo, Dr. Jiang was so pleased to encourage and mentor new Chinese scientists joining the staff at Mayo.
Nai-Siang loved the natural world. He enjoyed many happy days watching the change of seasons tending to the woods, birds and flower garden at home on Ridge Court/ He loved fishing , canoeing and swimming at his lake cabin near Hayward, Wis. He was an avid arborist, bird watcher, goldfish breeder, orchid/cactus and bonsai grower, and woodworker. He enjoyed studying history and wrote two books. One is a family history, and the other is “Stories told by Chinese pictogram” that came out of his study of ancient Chinese oracle bone inscriptions.
Dr. Nai-Siang Jiang was a devoted and loving husband and father and grandfather who will be greatly missed by his wife, Mrs. Helen Jiang of Rochester, MN, son David Jiang of Circle Pines, MN, Grace Jiang Goggin ( husband Matthew ) of Arden Hills, MN and grandsons Patrick Goggin of Minneapolis, MN, Benjamin Goggin of Brooklyn, NY, and Peter Goggin of Minneapolis, MN.
He is preceded in death by 2 brothers and 4 sisters, all in China.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 11AM in River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home with Rev. Rachel Hanson officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Memorials to Family Promise Rochester NorthStar House
Condolences
The family of Dr. Nai-Siang Jiang has received the following condolences.
What a beautiful life Jiang BaBa lived. I’m so very sorry for your loss. I can remember a kind and considerate man, along with many memorable moments while growing up in Atlanta. One cherished moment was a day of fishing at Stone Mountain Park lake with Jiang BaBa, my dad and us Chiang boys. Along the bank, Jiang BaBa spotted a turtle sunning on a log close to the shoreline. He rolled up his pants legs, went into the water to retrieve the turtle and shared some teaching moments with us boys before returning the turtle to the same log. You can imagine the thrill that gave us little boys. As an adult, he was instrumental in helping me secure a job interview with the Mayo Clinic. I always thought both Jiang BaBa and Jiang MaMa looked out for the Chiang boys’ welfare. To Helen and the Jiang family, I wish you peace and loving memories forever hold in your hearts.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your husband and father. What an amazing life journey and such accomplishments. Sending prayers and love to Mrs. Jiang, David, and Grace.
My parents considered the Jiangs like family. Nai was a very kind & generous family man. I still remember the many memorable times when our families got together. Nai had the coolest collection of goldfish down in his basement in Atlanta.
We are family & please let me know if there is anything I can do to help.
With sincere heartfelt condolences.
My most heartfelt condolences on the passing of my colleague and mentor Dr Nai Jiang.
Nai welcomed me when I joined the Mayo Clinic staff in 1976, and he provided me with wise guidance on my occasions during my career.
I treasure the memories of our interactions.
My heartfelt condolences to you Helen, Grace, David and the rest of your family. Nai was one of the best neighbors we have ever had. I will never forget his kind words spoken at Howard's funeral or the offers of help when I was spending most of my time at the hospital or nursing home. Even in later years he continued to visit our family as they worked at our business. While our families had very different backgrounds and experiences we always knew we could call on each other when we needed help. I know that Nai's last years were not the most comfortable ones, but I also know you will miss him greatly. God bless and take heart in your memories.
Your old neighbor Dorothy
Dr Jiang was the first Dr I worked for when I started my career at Mayo. I had much respect for him and we enjoyed each others company as fellow bird watchers on a trip to Texas. My sincere condolences to his family for their loss.
It is our honor and blessing to have known Nai-Siang, we have been friends for a long time. He was a leader in Clinical Chemistry, but also a great person to have as friend.
We want you to know that we are just a phone call away.
Our most heartfelt condolences.
Edmund and Jane Chao
Grace,
Even tho we only know each other as Mia volunteers, I wanted to tell u how sorry I am that you have lost your father. He was the same age as my father when he passed. We were fortunate to have a parent in our lives for so long. May you be gentle with yourself as you grieve his loss.
Mary Samuels
My deepest sympathies to your family at this very sad time
Dear Helen, Grace, David, Matthew, Patrick, Benjamin and Peter, we are so sorry for your loss.
On behalf of my parents, brothers and the entire extended family in China, I want to express our most sincere condolences and deepest sympathy. May all of us find comfort in the sweet memories shared with Nai - "the perfect gentleman in all respects".
Rest In Peace, great uncle!
Lan