Eagle Yingbo Zhu class of 2020
December 9, 2001 - July 9, 2021
After a half-year-long fearless, yet brutal, battle with brain cancer, Eagle finally let go of the unbearable pain; he passed away on Friday, July 9, 2021, at the Lansing Sparrow Hospital at the tragic young age of 19.
A beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend, Eagle was born on December 9, 2001, in Troy, MI. He and his family later moved to the Greater Lansing area when he was five years old, and they have stayed there ever since. From Edgewood, Central, Kinawa, Chippewa, to Okemos High School, he touched the hearts of many. After special drive-in graduation in 2020, he followed his passion and went on to study polytechnical engineering at Purdue University Honors College.
Eagle’s dream was to become an engineer, and he was always good with his hands. He was immediately hooked when he joined the FIRST robotics team in high school, and the majority of his four years of high school were spent there. After graduation, he continued to participate in robotics at Purdue as a mentor as well as for the Okemos High School team during his treatment at home.
Outside of robotics, Eagle tried and enjoyed many other activities during childhood such as playing tennis, violin, skiing, wrestling, theater, art, ice skating, swimming, soccer, etc. Eagle loved playing video games, spending time with friends, building whatever he could think of, and spending money on the things he liked. He was a huge Star Wars and Marvel fan. Mention any related TV show and he’s definitely watched it before.
From a bright, sunny boy to an optimistic, genuine young man, Eagle was liked by basically everyone who knew him. He was thoughtful and caring, despite sometimes his hot-temper. Eagle was the person anybody could go to when they needed any kind of help. To his family, he will fondly be remembered as the turkey guy during holiday meals, the technology problem solver, and the household handyman. And to his friends, he will warmly be remembered as a dreamer with lots of creative ideas and plans as well as the first driver who drove everyone around in the Honda Odyssey. He leaves behind a whole lot of stuff and countless cherished memories. He will be never forgotten, always missed, and forever loved.
The final farewell visitation and service will be held at Palmer Bush & Jensen Funeral Homes Holt Chapel on Saturday, July 17, 2021. Eagle’s remembrance slideshow with pictures and videos is available here: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/2TNBW6Q6XSXG24BD.
To honor Eagle’s passion for robotics and engineering, his family and friends are planning to set up a memorial foundation to award Okemos High School seniors who share and will continue Eagle’s passion. In lieu of cards and flowers, memorial donations may be made to this foundation: https://gofund.me/9be280f7
This is the link to the EAGLE ENGINEERING SCHOLARSHIP.
EAGLE ENGINEERING SCHOLARSHIP
"For Okemos High School seniors who share and continue Eagle's passion
"Eagle Engineering Scholarship is a memorial fund for Eagle YingBo Zhu who is an Okemos High School class 2020 graduate. Eagle fought a half-year-long fearless, yet brutal, battle with brain cancer, passed away on Friday, July 9, 2021, at a tragic young age of 19.
"Eagle’s dream was to become an engineer. "Ever since my dad sparked my interest in building things, it never stopped. I took Integrated tech classes in middle school, Drone classes in a community school, and any other tech class or activity I came across. I loved all of them. But it was First Robotics that opened the engineering world to me. A world both familiar and new at the same time, I fell in love right away. To be able to design anything you want and then build it is exhilarating. I love the freedom to design a part of the robot and then take the responsibility to build and make it work. " During his high school years, Eagle finished all the PLTW electives and spent all 4 years with OHS FIRST robotics team. After graduation, he continued to participate in robotics as a mentor at college as well as for the Okemos High School team during his treatment at home. "Building things become part of me and I can't imagine my life without building anything".
"To honor Eagle’s passion for robotics and engineering, his family and friends set up this memorial fund to award Okemos High School seniors who share and will continue Eagle’s passion."
This is the link to Eagle Zhu's You Tube channel.