Dr. Nathan Mao

Dr. Nathan K. Mao, 73, of Chambersburg passed away Sunday evening, February 1, 2015 in Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, surrounded by his family. Born on January 10, 1942 in China, he was educated at New Asia College in Hong Kong, Yale University and the University of Wisconsin at Madison where he received his Ph.D. in American Literature in 1966. Prior to moving to Chambersburg in 1970, Nathan taught English at New Asia College and York College. Since 1970, Nathan has been teaching English as a tenured member of the faculty at Shippensburg University where he shared his love of early American authors with his students. At the time of his death, he was the second most senior faculty member at Shippensburg University. In addition to teaching, Nathan authored numerous translations of well-known works of Chinese literature, including Fortress Besieged, Cold Nights and Twelve Towers.

Family was always very important to Nathan and he loved his family very much. Nathan is survived by his loving wife Irene and their children, Rendy Mao of Washington, D.C. and Renee Mao of Washington, D.C. Nathan is also survived by his former wife, Melanie Bays of Chambersburg, and their children, Emily Mao of Washington, D.C., Weiyen Jonas of Dallas, Texas, Jonathan Mao of Chambersburg, Jennie Mao of Chambersburg and two grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 6, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA 17202. Rev. Mark Medina and Rev. Dr. William Harter from Falling Spring Presbyterian Church will officiate. The interment will be private immediately following the service. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Friday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in honor of Nathan Mao to Keystone Human Services, 170 Mill Road, Chambersburg, PA 17201 (on the memo line write “Services in Franklin/Fulton Counties”); Occupational Services (OSI), 17 Redwood Street, Chambersburg, PA 17201; or The ARC of Franklin & Fulton Counties, 2314 Philadelphia Avenue, Chambersburg, PA 17202.