Walter Gong

Who is Walter Gong?

Walter Gong was a professor of natural sciences at San Jose State University and Brigham Young University and an educational theorist.

Gong was born and raised in Merced, California. His ancestors came to the United States from China near the end of the 19th century. His family was involved in the laundry and grocery business. He served in the United States Navy during World War II.

Gong attended Stanford University, where he earned his bachelors, masters, and Ph.D. degrees. There he met Jean Char, who introduced him to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and whom he later married.

Gong begin his teaching career at Sequoia High School in Redwood City, California. He was a professor at San Jose State University from 1959-1993. Gong co-authored a book on Mechanics with William Shockley.

In the late 1970s Gong was a professor at Brigham Young University. He also taught at Ricks College and also did teaching work with IBM and NASA. In the LDS Church he served as a Patriarch.

Gong and his wife, Jean, had three children. Their son Gerrit W. Gong is a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy of the LDS Church.

Walter Gong died on May 16, 2000 due to complications from diabetes.