Memorial Service Planned Jan. 11 for William Tao, Engineer, Mentor, Supporter, Scholar

Date Posted: December 26, 2019

Posted In: News, People,

A memorial service will be held Jan. 11 at 3 p.m. in Graham Chapel at Washington University in St. Louis for William Kwang-Yeh Tao — a St. Louis engineer whose impact was every bit as monumental as the landmark buildings he designed here.

Dr. Tao (known as Bill to friends and family) died Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019, at the age of 102, in Franklin, TN.

He was a former professor at Washington University and an emeritus university trustee, and founded an eponymous mechanical engineering firm here.

For many decades, in addition to being an ardent supporter of the university, he was a mentor to many students and he and his wife Anne sponsored students with four-year scholarship support.

After the service a reception will be held in the Whittemore House on the Washington University campus.