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Longtime Judson professor remembered for love of students

Ted Hsieh's extraordinary love for his students coupled with his passion for teaching made him a favorite at Judson University.

The longtime Judson psychology professor died Monday after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer barely a month ago, just before Father's Day.

Hsieh, 75, of Elgin, was at a higher education conference in California when he felt lightheaded and was checked into the hospital. That's when doctors found the cancer, which by then was at Stage 4. He was moved to Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin and then JourneyCare hospice in Barrington where he succumbed to the disease.

"In many ways, it was a blessing because he didn't have many years of discomfort," said son Ben Hsieh, 38, a graduate of Larkin High School in Elgin now living in Oregon. "We spent a lot of time together these past four weeks. We also have strong faith in our family. Our dad has lived a life that has been meaningful and we are at peace with what happened and that he is in a better place."

During his 44-year career at Judson, Hsieh served as an assistant professor in psychology from 1969-1974 and associate professor in psychology from 1974 until his retirement in 2013.

Students affectionately called him "Papa Hsieh" - a title he earned by serving with his wife, Jeannette, as a house parent in Wilson Hall for 10 years. He also served as the director of student housing at Judson's Elgin campus.

"Ted Hsieh dedicated his life to his Lord, to his family, to Judson University and to the multitude of students who either took his classes or lived in the dormitories that he and his wife, Jeannette, supervised," Judson President Gene Crume said. "When anyone asks what makes Judson unique, the answer 'Ted Hsieh' is at the top of the list of right answers."

Hsieh grew up in Hong Kong and came to Chicago for college in 1959. He earned a bachelor's degree in social science from Trinity College and master's degrees in psychology from Northern Illinois University and in missiology (intercultural study of religious missions) from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He completed his doctoral studies at NIU.

He was a visiting professor at the Chinese Christian Leadership Institute in Palo Alto, California, the Chinese Christian Witness Theological Seminary in San Jose, California, Wheaton College and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield.

Hsieh's interest as a psychologist was in the areas of personality, religious behavior and relationships. His research has been published in periodicals and cited in several standard textbooks.

"He loved teaching and inspiring young people," Ben Hsieh said. "He really just enjoyed building relationships with his students, and really all those around him. He could befriend people from all walks of life."

He also was involved with the Chinese community and regularly spoke at events throughout the country and internationally, Ben Hsieh said.

A devoted husband and father, Hsieh made it a point to attend his sons' and grandchildren's soccer games and races. His faith also was important to him and he attended church at The Orchard Evangelical Free Church in Arlington Heights.

Hsieh is survived by wife, Jeanette Hsieh, who taught psychology and education at Judson for 17 years and now is an administrator at Trinity International University in Deerfield. He also is survived by another son, Matt, 44, of Hinsdale, and five grandchildren.

Visitation for Hsieh will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights. A second visitation from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday followed by a memorial service at 10 a.m. will be held at The Orchard Evangelical Free Church, 1330 N. Douglas Ave., Arlington Heights.

Judson University psychology professor Ted Hsieh, who died Monday, pictured here in his classroom in 1973. Hsieh, of Elgin, taught 44 years at Judson until his retirement in 2013 and was a dorm parent on the Elgin campus. Courtesy of Judson University
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