Zhengzhong Zhang

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Zhengzhong Zhang. On Monday night, Feb 13th 2023, after a valiant 18 months battle with cancer, Zhengzhong Zhang passed away with his wife and sons by his side. 

Born in China on January 1st, 1976, Zhengzhong was the youngest of six siblings. He grew up surrounded by a close-knit family. He is survived by his wife Susan Xu, and sons - Andrew and Benjamin. 

Zhengzhong graduated from Jimei University with a bachelor degree in Freshwater Fishery in 1996 and got his Master degree in Aquaculture from Qingdao Ocean university in 1999. After a one and half year teaching at Zhanjiang Ocean University, he came to the United States in 2001 to pursue his American dream. He started his studies at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and then transferred to Louisiana State University in 2002. In 2007, he graduated from LSU with a PhD in Civil Engineering and moved to Chicago to start his career. Zhengzhong was a very skilled environmental and water resource engineer. He successfully completed many projects in the next 8 years which had big environmental impacts to the state and community at large.

In 2015, he made a career switch to the financial industry and worked at HSBC, before moving to Synchrony Financial as an Associate Vice President - Risk Operations. Zhengzhong was never scared to take on new challenges and did everything with honesty and integrity. He had very strong positive energy and was well liked by everyone. Throughout his career, Zhengzhong’s dedication and trustworthiness earned him valuable friendships with his colleagues and friends. 

Zhengzhong had a great love for the outdoors. He was well known around the neighborhood for surrounding the house with beautiful flowers. He spent a lot of time nurturing his plants and flowers during summer, and loved going to the botanic gardens and arboretums. He had many sports interests and especially loved to play tennis and ride his bike around the neighborhood. 

Zhengzhong and Susan were married for nearly 10 years. His love for his wife was extremely deep and profound. Together they raised 2 sweet little boys. Zhengzhong was such a devoted father and so patient with the children that his older son’s first spoken word was “baba” rather than “mama”. He gave every inch of love to his wife and son, and left them with his legacy to be carried on. He was such an incredible man who will be greatly missed-leaving a lasting imprint on his wife and children, as well as anyone who knew him.

 A visitation and funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2023 from 1pm to 2pm at Adolf Funeral Home, 7000 S Madison St. Willowbrook, IL 60527. 

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