Obituary of Yangsook Han

Yangsook C. Han, 76, a resident of Chapel Hill, NC, passed away on May 21st, 2012. She was born in Wonsan, Korea in 1935 to Dr. and Mrs. Young E. Chun, and immigrated to the United States in 1955 after surviving the Korean War, during which she was separated from her mother and younger brother. After moving to Charlestown, West Virginia, she earned a bachelor's degree from Morris Harvey College and was a member of the honorary scientific society Chi Beta Phi. She later received a full fellowship from Syracuse University and obtained a master's degree in mathematics. Her academic life continued as an instructor at Utica College of Syracuse University for eight years, and later as an instructor at State University of New York at Albany. In 1975, Yangsook began a career as a Research Scientist in epidemiology for the New York State Health Department, in Albany, NY. Her collaborative work on sophisticated statistical methods used in communicable disease research was published in respected medical journals. Yangsook and her husband Jaok raised their family in Guilderland and Loudonville, NY, near Albany. After many busy years, she retired in 1998 and moved to Chapel Hill, NC. She enjoyed an active retirement at Governors Club in Chapel Hill, where she played in the women's golf league, was a bridge and book club member, and was happy to have the company of many friends. In 2006, she received a plaque commemorating her "hole in one," scored with a 7 wood. She is survived by her loving husband of 51 years, Dr. Jaok Han, formerly a professor of medicine at Albany Medical College. She is also survived by her three children, Sylvia Han and her husband Bruce Rubenstein of Lexington, MA, Julia Han Chandler and her husband Martin Chandler of Charlotte, NC , and Andrew Han and his wife Karen Eckstein Han of Needham, MA. From her immediate family, she is survived by older sister Dr. Chungsook Chun and her husband Dr. Joseph Chang of Naples, FL. Yangsook had seven grandchildren: Eric Rubenstein, Kenneth Rubenstein, Ryan Chandler, Cameron Chandler, Caroline Han, Matthew Han, and Martha Han. She felt truly lucky to have "three great kids" and "seven wonderful grandchildren." "What more could you want?" A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 24, 2012 at 2:00 pm at Christ United Methodist Church, 800 Market Street, Southern Village, Chapel Hill, where Yangsook was a member. The family will receive friends at a celebration of life reception following the service at Governors Club, Chapel Hill, NC. Contributions in Yangsook's memory may be made to UNC Hospice (480 Hillsboro Street, Suite 800, Pittsboro, NC 27312) and Christ United Methodist Church (800 Market Street, Southern Village, Chapel Hill, NC 27516).