Chun-Hung Tzeng

Chun-Hung Tzeng, age 82, known to his friends and family as Henry, was born in Taoyuan, Taiwan passed away in his home on March 1, 2026. Growing up as one of nine children in the rural farming community of Yangmei, he witnessed firsthand the hardships of an era marked by intense industrial pressure and scarcity. Although his parents had not graduated from high school, they instilled a deep academic drive in him that led him to graduate at the top of his high school class and attend National Taiwan University. In 1979, he moved to Indiana with his wife and two sons, ages 8 and 3 to Indiana to pursue the American dream. He would spend the next 45 years working steadily to build a foundation so that his children and grandchildren could find their own paths and opportunities in America.

In his academic life, Henry remained a lifelong student who sought to bridge different cultures and disciplines. He was a humble scholar who earned three different degrees in three different languages. After college in Taiwan, his research path began at Göttingen University in Germany, where he earned a PhD in mathematics under the mentorship of Wilhelm Maak, a renowned mathematician, and attained an Erdős number of 5. Later, he quietly continued his studies to earn a second PhD in computer science from Indiana University, blending his mathematical roots with new technology. His books, publications and research focused on the mathematical foundations of game-tree search and artificial intelligence, specifically exploring probabilistic reasoning and alternatives to the minimax algorithm. His work contributed to a deeper understanding of how computers handle uncertain information and heuristic search, bridging the gap between theoretical mathematics and practical computer science.

Henry found his true calling as a professor at Ball State University in Muncie, IN. Returning to his childhood roots in the Midwest, he felt right at home and became a true embodiment of "Hoosier Hospitality" to everyone he knew. Over a career spanning nearly thirty years, he taught his sons to cherish life’s simple pleasures—from quiet family dinners in front of the TV to peaceful weekends fishing at Prairie Creek Reservoir.

After he retired in 2012, Henry moved to Englewood, New Jersey to be near his two grandsons, who were the center of his world. For thirteen years, he was there by their side every single day; his grandsons couldn't have asked for more than to grow up seeing their grandfather daily, sharing all the little moments that ended up becoming the most important ones. Whether he was patiently unveiling the wonders of math and science or teaching them to knead dough for homemade mantous—a craft passed down from a dear friend—he poured a lifetime of wisdom and unconditional love into every hour they spent together. He was many things to many people, but to his family, he was simply a husband, father, and grandfather who is missed more than words can say.

Henry is survived by his wife, Wen, his children Dale (Meg) and Ken; and grandchildren Owen and Graham.