- Professor Jakub Szefer

Although TP Ma was a graduate student when I first arrived at Yale, we did not get to know each other until the late 1970s. The first encounter I can remember was when TP offered to set me up for a visit to the Chinese Academy of Science in Beijing during the summer of 1981. Four years later he set me up for another visit, this time to a number of different institutions in Taiwan. I came to realize that TP was an especially generous guy, willing to do much more for others than was the norm - and expecting nothing in return. Although I was not involved, I am sure that TP’s drive, determination and grace played a major role in the founding of Yale’s Cleanroom which was just down the hall from my office. I believe TP and Dick Barker were the only Electrical Engineering faculty in the microelectronics area at the time the Department was re-established in the early 1980s. TP went on to serve as Chair for multiple terms during the Department’s formative years. Many of us view TP Ma as one of the Department of Electrical Engineering’s founders, if not its father. He is certainly missed by all.

- Professor A. Stephen Morse

TP is a scholar, a gentleman, and a mentor to many of us. Beyond his many contributions to the Yale community, he has also made tremendous contributions to many other communities. He was on the advisory committee of the Chinese American Professors' Association at Connecticut, and he was the recipient of the Inaugural Beacon Award of the association, recognizing his invaluable contributions and services. He will be deeply missed.

- Professor Y. Richard Yang

I believe T.P. is the first person in US I ever talked with about 23 years ago when I was an undergraduate student in China. He interviewed me and offered me a graduate student position. Although eventually I did not attend the Yale graduate school, I was extremely lucky to become his colleague about 8 years ago. I benefited so much from the interactions with him during my time here. His mentoring has played a pivotal role in my time here. T.P., we love you and you will be missed dearly.

- Professor Fengnian Xia

My first interactions with T.P. were research related: learning about semiconductor research from him, doing collaborative research with him in the Yale NSF-funded MRSEC center, writing a joint computational paper with him and his student, and being co-PI with him on a grant he spearheaded that introduced me to the high-k dielectric field. He was energetic, had a great sense of humor, a can-do attitude, was endlessly curious, and always managed to teach me something new each time talked shop. It was many years later that I discovered he was an avid ice skater (I myself being much less serious about it), so I would also enjoy seeing him at the Yale rink regularly --- even after he had knee surgery/replacement! Needless to say, I will miss him tremendously.

- Professor Sohrab Ismail-Beigi

TP was a close colleague of mine for his entire faculty career at Yale. I started on the faculty 2 years before he did, in the large Department of EAS. When the individual departments formed in 1981, we went into different departments, but shared fully in the microelectronics facilities and management. (We were the only 2 junior faculty in that field then.) He was very honorable in his dealings, and friendly even in very busy times. When we both stayed with tenure, we remained good friends, and stayed close through the years. We miss his leadership, and his courage in dealing with hard issues. We are so grateful he was our colleague and friend.

- Professor Daniel Prober

Many have written about the great things TP did while he was on the Yale faculty for nearly 44 years, and I want to join the chorus enthusiastically. He was a truly wonderful friend and colleague, and a very creative and successful scientist. But I would like to add a note about the way he became a faculty member in the first place, and ended up as the Raymond J. Wean Professor.

As soon as he arrived as a graduate student it was quite clear that he was a truly talented scientist, and also that he was a great individual. I remember him taking my course on Quantum Mechanics and performing so well that I was eager to have him as my Teaching Assistant for the following year. When he graduated in 1974, the faculty awarded him the Harding Bliss Prize as “the student having done most to further the intellectual life of the department”, and no one questioned the choice. Of course we would have very much wanted to keep him at Yale, but we could only offer him a temporary research appointment, so he accepted a staff position at IBM and excelled there. But during the following year his former advisor, Dick Barker, had the ingenious idea to bring him back to Yale, at least for a year. As an IBM employee on leave, we would appoint him as a “Visiting Lecturer” – if he could persuade the managers at IBM that this would be in their interest as well. Somehow they agreed.

That gave us time to activate a formal search process for a new faculty position, from which it soon became clear that TP was easily the best qualified candidate, and the faculty quickly voted to recommend him for an appointment as Assistant Professor at the end of the year. Now there were only two remaining questions: what would IBM say if he did not return, and would TP give up an established staff position at IBM for a three year appointment as an Assistant Professor? Well he did, the managers at IBM were very gracious about his decision, and the rest is history.

But for me his appointment had a nice personal coda many years later. When I retired in 2002 I wondered who would be the next occupant of the endowed chair I would be vacating. I had no doubts that TP was clearly the obvious candidate, so I was delighted and honored when his appointment as Raymond J. Wean Professor was announced.

- Professor Werner Wolf

Back in the 1980's (around 1983) as a Yale undergraduate, I was able to take TP's MOS course - with a lab in which we successively learned how to build oxides, MOS capacitors, and MOS transistors - which worked! That was one of my all time favorite courses: TP's being such a thorough, knowledgeable, and clear teacher, along with the tangible experience of the lab, are a gift that I use even today. I do remember his smile and enthusiasm when something worked, or a good idea came his way. And such a hearty and sincere laugh. What a fine teacher and a privilege to have been able then call him a colleague.

- Richard Lethin

TP and Prof. Dick Barker were my PhD dissertation co-advisors. I was saddened to learn of TP's recent passing. TP taught me microfabrication and gave me a summer job working on MIS solar cells in his lab in the summer of 1979 just before I started as a grad student at Yale, and he provided countless hours of advice over my 5 years there. I remained in regular contact with TP ever since. He was a generous advisor, always enjoyed a good laugh, and always optimistic. A very good man and good role model for me. I look forward to a future celebration of his life with my former Yale lab mates (CC, TC, Yoshi, Viktor, et al.) and I send my deepest condolences to his family. Miss you already, TP.

- Eric R. Fossum

I have known Prof. T.P. Ma for 17 years. I was previously working in TP’s lab 2004-2007 as an Intel assigned visiting Fellow at Yale, on both novel logic and memory technology. Now I am working at Entegris and collaborating with him on Advanced Ferroelectric Materials for Future memory technology. It is very sad to learn that Prof. Ma has departed from us.

As for technology Impact, Prof. Ma is the pioneer on the key concept of using high-k dielectric replacing SiO2 in transistors- and now high-k dielectric are in every transistors in advanced nm node computers and cell phones. Prof. Ma received then IEEE Andrew Grove Award for this contribution.

Prof. Ma is such a scholar full of wisdom, solid on his rationales, and frank on his technical judgements, and yet fully open minded to all points of views. I learned a lot from Prof. T.P. Ma as a scholar and more as a person. We still have TP’s group picture in our home at the 2004 Christmas time when our 2nd baby was born. We remember when TP danced gracefully with Pin Fang in our home, as well as so many of his students laughing with TP’s humor jokes. We remembered attending TP’s student graduation ceremonies and I learn how much his students love Prof. Ma. We also remember TP’s 70 years birthday party which was a surprise party and there were so many of his former students (including TSMC CEO CC Wei) and colleagues came and also remotely congratulated him from all over the world. People love him.

- Jun-Fei Zheng

I have always looked up to you as a role model. I remember when I saw you going for sport I asked you, were you inspired by Winter Olympics? You said: No, they were inspired by ME. RIP my friend will see each other again.

- Mohsen Nami

In over 10 years of having the privilege to be T.P.’s colleague at Yale, I had ample opportunity to observe first-hand not only the qualities that made him the epitome of a true academic but also his incredible kindness, wits, and humor. Whether during a faculty meeting or in the corridors of Becton, over an expensive bottle of wine at Union League Café or over an off-menu dish that he ordered in the kitchen of an obscure Chinese restaurant, T.P. had this amazing charisma to captivate his audience, exude genius and convey a sense of comfort, because he could and because he genuinely cared. What an irreplaceable loss…

- Yiorgos Makris

TP was the department chair who hired me on as an assistant professor in Yale EE and was a great mentor and advocate for me from 2008-2016. He connected me with my first PhD student and we even wrote a patent together based on his ideas! I had the privilege of teaching his Si MOSFET processing course (EENG 401) and his intro electronics course (EENG 200) using his hand-written notes. In listening to this recent interview with him, I immediately remembered his great storytelling and sense of humor. I truly miss him and send my kindest regards to his wife and family.

- Minjoo Larry Lee

For 13 years, Prof. Ma has been a father-like figure for an international student like me who did not know anyone on this continent in 2008. We are “spoiled” by Prof. Ma. He gave me my first RA job; he let me go to Europe for seven months for an internship; he told me in an email that my writing is so bad that he could not continue to revise my paper and bought everyone some writing books later. He called me from the hospital to help me when I asked for a reference—the very last time we talked. He liked all his students and felt for our happiness and sadness…when there was some real good news, he would stand up and shake our hands to congratulate us. It was really my honor and luck to be your student, Prof. Ma. Thanks for everything.

- Xiao Sun

TP was much more than a thesis advisor to me. He was a life advisor, a close friend, a role model, and even an English teacher. A few weeks after I handed in my first draft of PhD thesis, he returned it with dense hand-written edits on every page, almost every line. He did that for every one of his students. The level of care he took to foster his students' personal and professional growth went way beyond that of a typical thesis advisor. TP was also my wife's PhD advisor. We both miss him dearly.

- Wen Chen

I think I was lucky to become Professor Ma's last few PhD students. I still remember the summer afternoon in 2011 when I first arrived at Yale, I knocked his door and talked to him about working on a research project with him. He generously gave me the opportunity and accepted me as his PhD student afterwards. As a twenty-ish young man who just walked out of college and knew nothing about real world, TP nurtured my view on life and work through the unforgettable joyful 5-year journey. His influence on me and many other his students I believe, goes beyond academics and technology. I remember him as a role model who held integrity and discipline, was humble, humorous, optimistic and always passionate about life. I always miss video-shooting his figure skating show, his jokes and stories while drinking. Miss you already, Professor Ma.

- Shufeng Ren

It came as a shocking news to me when hearing Prof. Ma from an old friend in Taiwan several days ago. It immediately brings back memories 14 years ago when I was a visiting student in Prof. Ma’s group. It brings back my memories of: Prof. Ma’s big smile with thoughtful eyes, him and his “MAD” machine, group meetings always in an open space in the hallway where all passersby could stop and listen, English-only policy in the lab, the many excellent students under his mentorship, his passion for ice-skating and most importantly his passion and talent for semiconductor. That one year spent at Prof. Ma’s group, Yale and New Haven was short but it was an important turning point in my life. RIP Prof. Ma and condolence to the family.

- Jingfeng Yang

Please accept our condolences on the passing of Prof. T.P. Ma, an Honorable member of CAAPS. It was an honor to have known such a great person and we will truly miss him. May God embrace you in comfort during this difficult time.

- Ping-Tsai Chung. Ph.D.; Chair, Chinese American Academic & Professional Society

Professor Ma & I shared the ice at Ingalls Rink for many happy lunchtime hours. He was a lovely man and an older ice dancer like me. He loved to learn new dance routines with his teacher and ice dance coach. I will miss him.

- Linda Warner

I met Professor Ma in 1986, and that is the "TP" that will always remain in my memory--little seemed to change in the next 15 years (when I still saw him). That made it really shocking to learn that he is no longer with us. He was kind, warm, and indeed playful. Nothing in his accessible manners gave hint of his academic stature, or of his contributions to technological developments that are now so central to our lives. It was a privilege to know him--and a privilege to remember him and celebrate his achievements.

- Wei Cui

I have known TP Ma （馬佐平）since I came to Yale in 1982. Over the last several decades he has been a most supportive friend and colleague, and we often served in the same faculty committees. I truly admire his wisdom and insight and will miss him dearly.

- Prof. Kang-i Sun Chang

I had the honor of collaborating with TP as a young grad student in 2009, which later culminated the first two papers where I was a coauthor. We then continued to collaborate and I travelled to Yale to meet TP and his excellent team. His welcome and hospitality were the warmest possible, and this first meeting has sown the seeds for my arrival to Yale a few years later, where I spent some years as a postdoc. During this time I was fortunate to be collaborating with TP again, and I always enjoyed his wisdom, good spirits and famous storytelling. I particularly remember enjoying fine scotch together in one early afternoon at some celebration, and I'll remember him like that: holding a glass, friendly and informal, with knowing, smiling eyes. RIP TP.

- Lior Kornblum

Prof. TP was very inspiring and Towering Academic and one of the pioneers in Semiconductor research well known around the globe. I had an excellent opportunity to work under his group at Yale university from Sept 2012 for around a year as a Visiting Fellow and then again in Summer of 2014. I got to learn a lot from him and got inspired by him a lot specifically in cutting edge Semiconductor research. As a person he was GEM of person at heart very humble extremely prompt and always positive gentleman. He was an inspiration to all. May God give the strength to his family members to withstand such an immense loss. May God give all and every one closely associated with him strength. Miss his presence and guidance all the Time. May God Rest his soul in Peace.

- Asutosh Srivastava

T.P. was an unassuming yet astounding mentor. I took his solid-state course in 1978 and did my senior thesis under his guidance in 1979. I had an interest in solar cells, and -- with his characteristic smile and enthusiasm -- T.P. said he would sponsor me. We used the tank-like Balzers evaporator with a diffusion pump that many of you fondly remember. Our solar cell was a thin Schottky barrier with a tunneling oxide at the interface. The device failed quickly because of aluminum electro-migration, but it was an exciting attempt and the experience taught us to think carefully about materials.

I fondly remember countless discussions and lunches in the alcove along the hallway. The graduate students from Taiwan ate submarine sandwiches, while I had Chinese food. I still have my graduation present from T.P., a beautiful pair of ivory chopsticks.

Over the years I returned often to New Haven and always came to see T.P. These were joyous reunions, each telling the other about family and research. For me, there was a real feeling of coming home – although it seemed impossible and wonderful that T.P. could still be there, 40 years after we met.

T.P., thank you for creating the start to my long and fulfilling career. I am among the many who were deeply, incalculably blessed by you. You are gone from this earth but live constantly in my thoughts and heart.

- John Abelson; Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

I had the honor and pleasure of working for T-p from the day I began my almost 35 year career at Yale in May of 1980. T-p was such a kind, wonderful man. He will be greatly missed by everyone whose life he touched. My fond memories of him will be with me always. I will miss him very much.

- Arlene Ciociola

I am deeply saddened to learn about T.P. passing away. T.P. was a giant in CMOS. I have known T.P. since I was a beginning Assistant Professor in the early 2000's. We collaborated and participated in many joint research programs over the years. I have many fond memories of attending conferences and program reviews with T.P. – he was so full of life and had many great stories to tell. He will be greatly missed.

- Susanne Stemmer

A gentleman with a charming smile served me a glass of wine in the reception party of SISC'86 in San Diego. I was extremely nervous, because it was my first time to give a talk in English at the international conference. I asked him timidly, "Could you please let me know who Professor Tso-Ping Ma at Yale University?" He said, "It's me!"

Several years later, TP kindly accepted me as a research fellow to study hot-carrier responses in ultra-thin CMOS/SIMOX from Sept/1991 to Sept/1992. The one year stay at the Becton Center of Yale University with TP, Sharon, nice highly-talented PhD candidates (Wenliang, Binlong, Minghon, Tamer, and Chris), and the nice Yale staffs (Arlene, etc.) has become the "golden era" of my life. Several papers with TP in the IEEE EDL, JAP, and JJAP are my treasures.

It was also my great pleasure that I met TP and Pin-Fang at the Narita international airport when TP came to Japan on his business.

TP, at your 70th Birthday Party, I was so happy when you promptly found me in that room and shouted, "Hey Akira, didn't you go to the JFK to pick your wife up?" I said, "Sorry TP, I finally told you a lie." I do thank you very much for everything, and deeply miss you.

I'd like to express my deepest condolences to his family.

- Akira Yoshino

Friend and co-worker of his grants & contracts. Rest In Peace Prof Ma, you were always so kind. You will be missed. We love you TP. I will be at the memorial service 🙏

- Dorreth Cole

I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from Professor Ma. He is a true role model not only on research but also on treating life and work with good spirit. I remember vividly many fun things, including many interesting stories he told, his meetings in the alcove that welcomed everyone, his unique and very memorable ceremony to celebrate student/postdoc graduation... Professor Ma was very generous to encourage and help young researchers and helped me greatly. It was really an honor to have worked with him and I hope to send my most sincere condolences to the family.

- Ning Li

I learned with great sadness that T.P. Ma is no longer with us. T.P. has been a very good friend ever since we met at the SISC in 1994. Prof. Ma has been very supportive of my career and we had many great and productive discussions. He has been a brilliant scientist and a very kind human person. He will be missed so much by his friends and the scientific community.

- Matthias Passlack

Always remember clearly how Prof. Ma helped me with my Ph.D. dissertation back in the late 90's. He hand corrected my logic of writing as well as grammar, page by page. He also encouraged me to research and write many papers to publish in IEEE journals and various industry conferences. It was actually an eye opening experience to attend a semiconductor conference in Taipei in the late 90's. Also remember many lunch meetings at Naples Pizza and outside his office in Becton with Prof. Ma and other colleagues. We kept in touch after graduation, and had a zoom conference meeting around last Christmas, not knowing that would be the last time.

- Andrew Chun Chen

Prof. Ma was a guiding force, mentor, brilliant scientist and engineer – the list goes on. Words cannot express how deeply he will be missed by me personally, but also by all in the scientific and broader community. His memory will live on.

- Christine Caragianis Broadbridge

Professor Ma was not only a teacher, but also a mentor of me. We fist encountered at a seminar held in National Taiwan University in 2008, and we had a wonderful discussion on semiconductor physics. I always remember his kindness and patience towards me, who was an immature and timid student at the time. Surprisingly, he invited me to join his group as a visiting student in Yale. The 7-month short study under Prof. Ma's guidance was an amazing journey and hereafter changed my life.

First, Prof. Ma showed his great passion in research in any time. I always remember my on-board day in Yale on 10-22 2009. 6:30 AM Thursday morning, I arrived at Becton Center. Prof. Ma was already there working in his office and having an international web seminar. After the meeting, he immediately gave me a warm welcome hug, and introduced MAD system to me like an energetic kid with Sharon in the clean room, very enthusiastically.

Second, Prof. Ma's discipline inspired and convinced me of the importance of diligence. During my visit, Prof. Ma was about 65 years old. He arrived at the office 6:10 AM every day, no matter it was raining or snowing. I found the only way for me to catch up with him was to work until midnight and slept in the lab office. This incredible experience reminded me of working hard until getting perfection.

Third, Prof. Ma was a person with a good taste in life. I was amazed by his continuous practice on figure skating even after his knee surgery. I told my kids the story and it encouraged all my families to learn roller skating.

Finally, Prof. Ma treated every student like his family. It was really my honor to attend his birthday party invited by Mrs. Ma after 5 years of leaving Yale. In the birthday party slideshow, Prof. and Mrs. Ma's lovely family indeed impressed my wife and me for their mutual tolerance and supporting in their marriage.

I am always so thankful and grateful to meet Prof. Ma. His wisdom and spirit are unforgettable and will still last between everyone who had been guided by him.

- Cheng-Yi Peng/Wen-Yuan Chen

I am Chia-cheng, who studied/worked at your lab 2007-2008 as a visiting student from Taiwan. I still remember our first meet at your office on snowy March 18, 2007. Then, your research attitude is always solid, insight, and also inspire me. You told researcher to be a tip to impact all technology. I still remember your smile, pizza, and humor stories at many dinner parties, which warmed each student/young researcher. That is why I have many wonderful memories with you at Yale. Now, it is very sad to learn that you has departed. I send my most sincere condolences to your family.

- Ho Chia-cheng

I just learned of the passing away of T.P. who was my Ph. D. thesis advisor at Yale. My first impression of him when I embarked on my graduate studies was how his warm and enthusiastic personality augmented his vast knowledge and teaching skills. He was not only an exceptional educator, but also an unrelenting problem solver and researcher, as well as a good friend. His kind personality always ensured a high degree of closeness between his grad students and himself, resulting in a wonderful combination of respect and friendship. These same traits also led to a very fruitful and rewarding camaraderie within the Ma-Barker gang which made a sometimes difficult journey very enjoyable for all of us. T.P. and I kept in touch over the years and I was happy to observe that he never lost anything from his avid enthusiasm and sense of humor. I will miss him dearly and I would like to extend my deepest condolences to Pin Fang, Mahau, Jasmine, his extended family, his colleagues, his graduate students and all those who were lucky enough to have felt T.P.'s positive presence in their lives.

- Viktor Zekeriya

I arrived at Yale in 2005 as an international student and the first year was a little overwhelming to say the least, which involved research, culture, visa and homesickness. I can still remember the feeling of a drifting boat. People who have been here longer told us it was important to choose an advisor since it would make a huge impact not only on your scientific career but also your future life. Prof Ma was already a well established professor and TP’s group meeting at Becton 3rd floor alcove always felt fun. He always had plenty of funny stories of his famous students. After the research rotation, I gingerly asked if he would have a spot for me in his lab and he welcomed me with his open arm. From that moment, I’ve had a family at Yale in the US.

TP was special in a way that he always brought the good in you. He had teached us more than semiconductors, being an engineer, and perseverance in research. Helping others and enjoying life also came along the journey. He always carried this positive energy no matter where he went and I was amazed how much fun he could have in his busy academic career. One time, both of us went on a SRC review trip. I was totally exhausted and looking forward to crashing on my bed coming back from the trip while he happily skated in the rink after driving back from Hartford.

A lot of friends sent me messages recently telling me how much Prof Ma had helped them in their graduate school years. Little things for a world known professor but big things for young students. I also wanted to thank everybody who wrote on this page since it helped me to know Prof Ma a bit more. I guess the legacy of being a great teacher is that teaching never ends even in difficult times. For me, no longer a drifting boat, I have begun to grow my roots in this land and I would hope I could help others to grow roots like Prof Ma had helped me.

- Xiao Pan

I was shocked to hear the sad news that Prof. Ma passed away so suddenly. I came to know Prof. Ma when I was admitted to Yale. He is a well-respected mentor of not only my research but also my career. He always had welcome, constructive words of advice. Many students, including me, benefited tremendously from his suggestion and support. He will always live in our memory. Rest in peace, Prof. Ma!

- Jian Xu

As an international student, Prof Ma has provided us the state-of-art of research training, top of the notch in technology development and best application in the field. It changed my life, my outlook completely. Prof. Ma is also a Father-like figure for me. The way, he revised my paper, rehearsed my conference presentation and detailing in every opportunities that to bring out our work, has influenced my way of working, living many years later. His dedication to science, research and the whole semiconductor community like a beacon light up our way. Thanks, Prof. Ma for everything. You are forever living in our heart.

- Liyang Song

I am deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend Prof. T.P. Ma, who had been working in the field of engineering for the last several decades (like myself). In the past I often skated with TP at the Yale skating rink (known as the David S. Ingalls Rink), along with our daughter Edie. TP was an excellent figure skater. I always remember TP very fondly!

- C.C Chang （張欽次)

TP was the kind of person who makes a community work. In modern life, people are often so invested in international communities in their fields, and in their own busy lives, that their investment and engagement in the university is sometimes less. But that was not true of TP. He is what I think of as the classic Yale professor: not only a researcher of stature, but someone who loved Yale, cared about people, and worked to invest his students and colleagues in the community of work and life that gave him pleasure.

I can't remember how I met TP it is so long ago -probably on a Yale committee. But we ended up, improbably, as members of the Yale Figure Skating Club together, sometimes as partners. TP took on skating as he must have taken on so much else in life. While not as brilliant on the ice as in a lab, he nevertheless was persistent in acquiring technical expertise, never gave up, improved over time, and was always, always a cherished member of the club because of his gentleness, kindness, and lightness of heart. Yale misses a lot in losing him not only as a researcher but as a human being. I think of him as ever young and am glad that that is the way he will remain in my mind.

- Penelope Laurans

I met T.P. Ma through his wife - Pin Fang Lin in Branford, CT. TP and Ping Fang were very generous that they invited my husband Frazier Bronson and I to have dinner at the famous Yale Mory's Temple Bar. We had a great time listening to the cappella club singing and we shared a big bowl of alcohol drink. At the dinner, T.P. mentioned that he and I were taking one same class at the National Taiwan University in Taipei where both of us received our B.S. in 1968. I was very impressed with his amazing good memory. We had gotten together a few times to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year at my house.

Two year ago, TP was so gracious to provide valuable advice to my grandson Van who was trying to decide which colleges to apply for. Despite his illness which I didn't know at that time, TP set up the ZOOM video and talked to Van earnestly resulting in Van's sound decision in selecting UConn. TP's advice to Van is priceless and I am forever grateful.

It's still hard to believe that TP is no longer with us. I will always remember his generosity, knowledge and friendship. TP will be deeply missed.

Our sincere condolence and sympathy to Ping Fang and his family members.
Rest in Peace TP.

- Helen H. Wong

In our Becton Labs complex, where the majority of our fellow grad students were Chinese, we often played basketball. It was "them" against "others", consisting of myself and three Americans. T.P. was my pilot as I negotiated the uncharted waters of a then alien to me culture. I experienced my greatest embarrassment in an otherwise empty restaurant in Mott Street; when as the only "barbarian" in the group, I caused the ire of the owner; who only spoke Chinese, and felt insulted when I attempted to add sugar to the very rare and special tea he had offered us. To this day, I have never again added sugar to tea, even to English or Turkish brews.

For their wedding, Pin-fang wanted to hire a professional photographer at a considerable expense for our graduate fellowships at the time, on the ground that you only marry once. Upon this, I declared my photographic talent, even though I rarely shoot people, and offered to serve as the official wedding photographer. I shot a few rolls of Kodachrome slides. I hope they still have the means to watch them in this digital age.

For about three decades after we parted, we kept relatively close contact. I would make it a point to spend a day with the Ma family during my frequent visits to the U.S. He would ask me jokingly If I would like to have dinner at a Greek restaurant, knowing that my choice would be Chinese. He traveled all over the world, and came as close as Athens, but never made it to Istanbul, for me the monopole of the world, from which all field lines emanate.

My mobility abruptly diminished after a belated marriage, and particularly after the birth of our twins some 15 years ago. Pin-fang was pleasantly surprised during one of my last visits, when I announced my impending marriage. She picked a porcelain bowl from her cupboard, and gave it to me as a wedding present. My wife has never met the Ma family, but has heard stories from me, and has seen family pictures that T.P. used to send us every new year. The last one was from a trip to Mexico Ma-hau had taken his parents and extended family to.

The bowl stands in our living room to this day; a tangible reminder of our fifty year old association, as I slouch towards the end of my tether. May his memory outlast us all, and may he rest in peace.

- Yani Skarlatos

To the engineers and the research community in semiconductors, Professor Ma was a pioneer, a leader, and a true scholar. To many of his students like myself, he was also a father figure. Professor Ma was warm, kind, fair, caring, encouraging, and supportive to all of his students. The T.P. group was a happy family. Despite his high standard for the quality of work and how clueless I often was as a graduate student, there wasn’t a single time that he was impatient or critical. I always felt secure under him. Professor Ma led and taught by example. His strong work ethic, positive attitude and good nature of believing in the best of people, have had tremendous influence on me.

There were many joyful and fun moments working with Professor Ma. I remembered my first time attending a conference, feeling a bit uneasy socializing, when he walked over and introduced me to the crowd: “He was the one who discovered …” I am sure many of you have had the same experience. At conferences, after each presentation, he would be the first to go up and congratulate the presenter with excitement and enthusiasm. With his easy-going style, quick wit and good story-telling, he was always at the center of attention in conferences and social gatherings. We were proud to be part of the T.P. group, and we worked hard to live up to the name.

A few years ago, while attending a conference in Boston, I snuck out for the day and drove to Yale to see Professor Ma. We sat at the alcove outside of his office and talked for hours. We shared stories and laughter. Afterwards, we had dinner at the same old Chinese place on Whitney Ave. I am glad I went. Thank you professor Ma, I am so lucky to have had a life mentor like you.

- Ying Shi

Dear Family, Colleagues, and Friends of T.-P.,

I am very sorry not to be among you today to celebrate the life of T.-P. By sponsoring my undergraduate senior project in 1979 — we fabricated the first solar cell at Yale — T.P. launched my career in thin film materials science. That has been a rich and wonderful experience, taking me to many excellent laboratories where I worked with inspiring colleagues. Words do not express how grateful I am for that rich experience.

But what is dear to my heart is the memory of T.-P.’s boundless enthusiasm and personal support, his optimism and humor. And of course his brilliant knowledge and creativity.

T.-P. I must say adieu, but you are alive in my life.

- John Abelson, University of Illinois

TP was such a beloved leader and role model in our graduate school days. After graduation, whenever we visited New Haven, we liked to stop by his office to catch up with him. He always took the time to talk to us. We are grateful for the kind conversation and friendship. We will him very much.

- Lillian Labowsky

I got to know TP in 2011, started a collaboration with him in 2014, and spent my sabbatical leave in his lab in Spring 2017 as a visiting fellow (a position renewed every year till his passing). I am very fortunate to have worked closely with such a towering figure in the semiconductor community for many years. TP was not only a great mentor but also a profound source of inspiration, both in research and student mentoring. I appreciate his guidance, cherish his friendship, and take his encouragement, such as ‘great stuff’ and ‘solid contribution,’ as my criteria for research.

The last email I received from him was on March 1, 2021. He wrote, “Thank you for your well wishes toward my retirement. I’ll have a long talk about it after I am settled.” We did not have the chance to hear this ‘long talk’, but his great sense of humor and infectious smile are with us forever.

R.I.P, TP. You will be dearly missed.

- Qiangfei Xia