我和王鹏不是很熟悉，但是我们又有那么多的相同地方。同年入清华，同年本科毕业，硕士毕业，甚至都在“石门山庄”照过像，甚至在2001年我们都在Troy, NY，并在这斯人逝去的一年都在康州。原本我们的生命轨迹有很多重合，为何君去太急? 留在世间无限的惆怅。
只能在这虚拟的空间，希望神交这位童年。希望在天之灵，品味我祈福的美酒。
Eulogy by Winnie Kung, 2/18/2012
Good afternoon, Ran, Wang Jun, Wang Han and honorable guests. I appreciate the opportunity to share a few of my thoughts and memories of Peng. I’ve known Peng for about two and a half years through the Tea Time group, which is a group of Chinese professionals who meet monthly discussing various topics of interest. Peng impressed me as one of the brightest and most open-minded intellectuals. He’s always interested in whatever topics being discussed. He was most remarkable in that being trained in the field of science, he presented on topics related to contemporary Chinese history based on his own study. He shared topics like the major historical figures at the end of the Ching Dynasty and the beginning of the Republic of China, and on the abolition of the national scholastic exam system used to select public officials. To me, Peng is the exemplar of the finest and the broadest mind who embraced the wealth of what the Eastern and the Western civilizations could offer. Culturally, not only did he immerse himself in contemporary Chinese history, but he also kept abreast of the social and political issues in American society. A couple of times he sent me editorials and articles from the New York Times and asked for my thoughts. He was always inquisitive and concerned.
As a person, Peng was a caring friend, often reaching out to stay in touch and lend support whenever necessary. He was also a devoted husband and father. As Ran relayed, he actively participated in household chores and in the care of Carolyn. No doubt he was a proud daddy: I still remember the pride in his face as he introduced Carolyn to us through Skype and commented that she looked a lot like him.
At tragic events like this, many of us may be thinking “why do bad things happen to such a good person?” Many world religions have tried to answer this question on the problem of suffering throughout human history, but many people still find them less than convincing. I don’t think I should make any attempt here. However, I can only say that I did see a lot of good that came out of this bad situation. First, the strength that Ran displayed was incredible. Beyond the initial shock, she was able to regain herself and dealt with all the issues that needed to be dealt with. She handled with the clearest mind and asked the most relevant questions as we went about seeking lawyers to represent Peng in the lawsuit on his wrongful death and on the funeral arrangements. She continued to be the tender caring mother to Carolyn, and reached out to support and encourage her parents-in-law in China. She is a remarkable woman. I can only say, “Peng, you took a very good pick for a wife.” Among our friends in the Tea Time group and others from various current and previous connections, the outpouring of loving care and tangible support was enormous. I felt that this tragedy really brought out the best in us. It also showed how much he’s loved by his friends.
Still, one would ask, what good does this do for Peng with a promising life cut short? It is again a hard question to answer. Being a person of faith, I can only share this – I’ve heard people comparing our transient stay on this earth as a short play trip in the garden. It is fun, sometimes challenging, but nonetheless lovely and beautiful. But there comes a time when one has to go home. About a year ago, on a brief internet chat with Peng, he asked me to share my spiritual journey since he missed our meeting in which we had such discussion. I said let’s do it later when we had a chance. The chance never came, and it’s now one of my deepest regrets. However, Ran told me that although Peng had not subscribed to any particular religion, he believed in and was open to God. He just didn’t know which one to put his faith in. I believe that Peng would be greeted with the same open embrace as he meets his Creator on his journey home. What is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. I do believe that he is now resting, rejoicing and at peace in his heavenly dwelling with his Creator.
Finally I want to say a few words to his family in Chinese:
最后我想跟王鹏的家人讲几句话：我希望你们知道王鹏是一个非常优秀的人才。他在学术方面的成就是骄人的，在朋友中是非常受爱戴的。认识他是我们的荣幸。谢谢！
知道这个消息以后，一直非常难过。多年的同学，朋友和兄弟，就这样离我们远去了。你走得好匆忙。人生无常。作为生者，我们大家会一起努力，帮助你的家人和孩子。
安息吧，我的兄弟。
