University of Northern Iowa Department of Geography Obituary Former visiting professor of geography and a glorified member of the Communist Party of the People's Republic of China, Mr. Shu-ren Nie, passed away on August 19, 1987, at the University Hospital of Xian Medical University, at the age of 65. He is survived by his wife, three children, and several grandchildren. Professor Nie was born on January 16, 1922, in San-Yuan County, Province of Shaanxi. He graduated from China's National Northeast University in 1944 with a B.S. degree in Geography, and in 1947, a Master of Science degree from the same university. Since then, Professor Nie devoted his life to a teaching career at the college level for more than 40 years. This included China's Northeast University, Northwest University, Xian Teachers College, and Shaanxi Teachers University where he held the title of full professor and served as department head for many years. Professor Nie was instrumental in the STU-UNI exchange and he came to UNI in the spring and summer of 1984 as a visiting scholar/professor. During his teaching career, Professor Nie authored, edited, and coauthored a total of 20 books, and published 88 articles and monographs. His latest writings included a Medical Geography book completed shortly before he passed away. In addition, Professor Nie served as a member of the Curricula Editing and Examining Committee of China's State Education Commission; a Consultant to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishery; an Executive Member of the Physical Geography Studies of China's Institutes of Higher Learning; an Executive member of China's Geographic Society; an Executive member of Shaanxi Geographic Society; Vice-Executive Director of Shaanxi Environmental Society. He was one of the few professors recognized by both the State Education Commission and the State Council of China who had the authority to confer the doctoral degree. A memorial service was held in his honor at 9 am on August 25, 1987. He was buried in San Zhao Revolutionary Cemetery.
