Professor Cheuk Yu Lee passed away peacefully on December 19, 2023, surrounded by his loving wife Agnes, sons Felix and Michael, and daughters-in-law Edith and Carol. Cheuk Yu is survived additionally by his adoring grandchildren, Megan and Christopher, younger sister and brother-in law, Christine and Hon-Yim Ko, and Bruce Lee the cat.

Cheuk Yu was a distinguished Professor of Biochemistry and Emeritus Professor of the School of Biomedical Sciences and the School of Life Sciences at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. In addition to acting as head of the University’s Department of Biochemistry, he also headed United College, one of CUHK’s original constituent colleges from 1988 to 1998, before returning to a quieter life in retirement in Canada.

Starting from humble beginnings, Cheuk Yu excelled in academics, finishing at the top of his class at Queen’s College in Hong Kong and earning a PhD at the University of British Columbia. He is widely admired and respected by colleagues and students for the dedication he put to his work in both the laboratory and in the classroom.

Cheuk Yu’s awe-inspiring breadth of knowledge, kindness and generosity, not to mention his rib-cracking sense of humour, will be dearly missed.

Flowers or contributions in memory of Cheuk Yu to a charity of your choice are welcome.