Professor Yuanxiang Pan, 58, of Champaign, passed away peacefully at Carle Foundation Hospital on Monday, September 7, 2026, surrounded by his family, friends, and students.

Dr. Pan was born in Gansu, China, to Guangyan Pan and Deying Luo. He married Hong Chen, with whom he shared 34 years of marriage and raised a daughter, Elan, and a son, Ian.

Dr. Pan is survived by his wife, Hong Chen, and their two children, Elan Pan and Ian Pan, all of Champaign, Illinois; his sister, Yuanming Pan, of Wagga Wagga, Australia; and his brothers, Yuanlong Pan of St. Louis, Missouri, and Yuanji Pan of Frederick, Maryland. He was preceded in death by his parents and his older sister, Yuanping Pan.

Dr. Pan was a Professor in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He earned his B.S. in Cell Biology from Lanzhou University in China and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Animal Nutrition from Virginia Tech. He completed postdoctoral training in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Florida College of Medicine.

His research examined how environmental factors, including diet, can lead to epigenetic modifications that influence health and disease. In recognition of his contributions to nutritional science, he received prestigious awards from the American Society for Nutrition, including the Norman Kretchmer Memorial Award in Nutrition and Development in 2012. He authored or co-authored more than 85 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters.

Dr. Pan was a dedicated and passionate teacher. He taught advanced nutrition courses to undergraduate and graduate students and was recognized numerous times through the University of Illinois’ List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent by Their Students.

Dr. Pan was equally devoted to the University’s mission of educating and mentoring students. He served as associate head with responsibility for undergraduate students and directed the James Scholar Program in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition. He mentored many graduate students who went on to successful careers. Over two decades at Illinois, he built strong and lasting relationships with students, faculty, and staff. Colleagues knew him as an encouraging and enthusiastic faculty member who worked diligently, generously shared his insight and advice, and treated others with kindness and appreciation.

Beyond his academic accomplishments, Dr. Pan was a caring and loving husband, father, and brother. He devoted himself wholeheartedly to his family and took great joy in supporting his children’s interests, including gymnastics, speed skating, tennis, and robot building. He was there after work and on weekends, cheering them on and sharing in their experiences.

Yuanxiang also enjoyed home repair and remodeling and was a skilled handyman. In his spare time, he gradually transformed the family home, remodeling the bathrooms, kitchen, living room, stairs, and floors. Through his patience, creativity, and hard work, he made their home a beautiful and welcoming place.

Dr. Pan will be deeply missed by his family, colleagues, students, classmates, and many friends. His loved ones find comfort in knowing that he is at peace and no longer suffering. His memory will live on in the many lives he touched—as a husband and father, brother and friend, teacher and mentor, colleague, and dedicated scientist.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at Renner-Wikoff Chapel & Crematory, 1900 Philo Rd., Urbana, Illinois, followed by a private family burial at Woodlawn Cemetery in Urbana, Illinois.

The memorial service will also be available via Zoom:

https://us05web.zoom.us/j/6422076818?pwd=YDywNFBhU9GL1HZNVWIj0mRufuqeaY.1&omn=89243418588

Meeting ID: 642 207 6818; Passcode: 7HD042