Yiping Patrick Zhang of Calgary, beloved husband of RongQing Rita Fan, after a length battle with cancer, passed away peacefully at Foothills Hospital on December 22nd, 2022 at the age of 66.
Besides his loving wife, Yiping is survived by his son Howie Zhang and daughter in law Becky Bie, Grandchildren Sophia and Ayden Zhang, Sister Binya Zhang,as well as numerous nieces, nephews and their families.
Yiping was born on July 17, 1956 in Yibin, China. After graduating from the Southwest Petroleum University in 1982 with his B. Sc. Degree in Engineering, he started his career by teaching at the same university. Through his early career, Yiping had the privilege to be exchanged to Texas A&M in 1988 and University of Calgary in 1995. Yiping and his family immigrated to Canada in 1997, where he obtained his Master of Science Degree in Petroleum Engineering at University of Calgary in year 2000. From 2001 and onwards, Yiping had worked at BP, Saskatchewan Research Council, and Alberta Energy Regulator until July 2022 when he retired as a Senior Reservoir Engineer. Yiping was a life member of APEGA and an expert in the field of enhanced oil recoveries. He published and/or co-authored over twenty technical papers and gave many technical presentations. His had participated in various projects of significance such as the approval process of the first CO2 capture and storage well in Alberta, as well as directive revisions and amendments, etc.
Yiping loved his family and always had a positive mindset no matter what challenges he faced in life. With his loving and caring, he had many and met many new friends and influenced many people around him. Yiping loved outdoors activities and enjoyed been surrounded by nature, especially hiking, fishing, and foraging through dense forests for wild mushroom picking.
Yiping was baptised in 2001 at Calgary Brentwood Baptist Church and joined Westside Chinese Alliance Church in October 2021. Through the faith of been saved, he fought with his cancer bravely until the end. While Yiping will be missed by all of his family and friends, may he rest in eternal peace in the lord’s arm.