Anthony Tsuchien Tu's Obituary
Anthony Tsuchien Tu, Professor Emeritus of the Colorado State University Biochemistry Department and resident of Thornton, Colorado, passed away November 2, 2024 while visiting Honolulu, Hawaii. He was 94.
Dr Tu’s primary research on snake toxins later led to research on chemical and biological weapons. Due to his expertise in this area and Japanese being his first language, he assisted Japanese authorities in tracking down the source of sarin nerve gas used in the Tokyo subway attacks that killed and injured hundreds of subway passengers. Dr. Tu’s assistance was instrumental in the identification of the Aum Shinrikyo sect that executed the subway attacks. The Japanese emperor bestowed upon Dr. Tu the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon in honor of his assistance.
Dr. Tu was born in Taipei Taiwan on August 12, 1930. His father was the first western medical doctor in Taiwan and was Dean of the Medical School at National Taiwan University. Dr. Tu received a Bachelor of Science from National Taiwan University, Masters from Notre Dame and PhD from Stanford University. After receiving his PhD, Dr. Tu did post graduate work at Yale University and started his career at Utah State University in Logan Utah, moving to Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado in 1967.
His wife Kazuko Tu (nee Yamamoto, d. 2012) passed away in 2012. Dr. Tu is survived by Marcia Tu (Scott Bernstein), Janice Garbarini (Steve), Caroline Farley (Shedden), Ken Tu (Debbie) and Alan Tu (Evelyn). He’s also survived by his grandchildren, Grace Farley-Kacir, Logan Garbarini, Brooke Garbarini and Nicole Bernstein. He leaves behind many relatives in Taiwan and the U.S., as well as devoted friends around the world.
He will be buried next to his wife in Alta Mesa Cemetery in Palo Alto, California. A memorial service is planned for early 2025.
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