Whitehorse Daily Star

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A MAN OF SPECIAL QUALITIES – Dr. Jim Zheng, seen here on a European cruise he took with his wife, Xiu-Mei Zhang, was a local practitioner of Chinese medicine. He passed away unexpectedly last Wednesday at the age of 57. Inset Ken Quong Photo courtesy DAVID ZHENG

Yukoners rallied to keep late physician in city

He was a valuable part of the Yukon’s medical field,

By Aimee O'Connor on August 25, 2015

He was a valuable part of the Yukon’s medical field, touching the lives of patients with his spiritual understanding of the human body and broken English that was enough to make anyone crack a smile.

Dr. Jim Zheng of Whitehorse died unexpectedly last Wednesday after suffering a stroke at the age of 57.

A celebration of his life will be held at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre at 1 p.m. Sunday.

The founder of the East West Health Centre in downtown Whitehorse, Zheng was a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine.

“He helped others in a way that most were unable to,” Dr. Ken Quong, the president of the Yukon Medical Association, told the Star Monday.

Though one of his sons, David Zheng, said his job was more akin to a lifestyle, working nearly every weekend and countless hours off the clock, he will be remembered for things stretching beyond medicine.

“He just said things the way they were without sugar-coating it,” David, 22, said in an interview this morning.

“Sometimes it came off as impolite, but then you’d realize that he was just being really genuine.”

His honesty accompanied an appreciation for the simple things in life.

When taking family trips, he would often try to convince David and his brother, Alex, 19, to sleep in the back of their family van instead of renting a hotel room.

A family friend later told the boys that their dad just liked being close to the trees and nature – even if it meant cramming several bodies into a small space.

He portrayed that love of scenery in several poems he wrote about living in the North.

He and his wife, Xiu-Mei Zhang, left China in 1991 to come to the Yukon.

They had met the late Don Branigan, then a local doctor and a former mayor of Whitehorse, while he was travelling in China.

Branigan told the couple they could come to the Yukon as medical researchers at his clinic. The pair jumped at the opportunity to leave their struggling home country in pursuit of a better future.

When they were threatened with deportation at one point, their patients signed petitions and rallied to keep them in Whitehorse. The affair garnered considerable media coverage at the time.

One of these patients, Arlin McFarlane, recalled how the community helped get permission for them to stay was a moving experience.

“We were like the little ‘who’s from Whoville’ that got our doctors of Chinese medicine to not be sent away,” she laughed.

At the time, Zheng imagined that they would stay in Whitehorse for a short while, and eventually move to a larger city like Vancouver or Toronto.

But, like so many others, something about the North kept them here.

“The people were humble. That was a huge part of the reason why he started falling in love with it,” said David.

In one of his poems, he articulated his love of the mountains and sunsets, comparing them to red wine that would get him love-drunk with the city.

Xiu-Mei eventually left their clinic, East West Health Centre, and now owns Pine Medical Centre. She attributes her success as a Western medical doctor to her husband.

When she wanted to pursue her dream, he was her main system of support.

That nurturing nature extended to his sons, who he taught not to be wasteful and not to harm others – but mostly, to enjoy the small things in life.

While his spirituality and wisdom came out while speaking his first language, Chinese, it was speaking English that brought out his silly side.

“He would act just like a kid sometimes,” David said.

His broken English often contributed to him saying things that made no sense, but with enough joy and expression to make it truly hilarious to listen to, his son added.

Quong also remembers many humourous conversations with Zheng that were based around trying to figure out what he was referring to.

“He taught me about the human body wearing a completely different set of glasses,” Quong said.

“He would use the same anatomic words, like spleen or liver, but not actually be referring to those things in the (literal) sense.

“There would be moments where he would be talking about someone’s energy and I would be talking about someone’s spleen ... It was all confusing but I respected it.”

In the medical office, he was lively, McFarlane said.

“He had a lot of thoughts about things and if you were willing to listen, he would tell you a lot of information,” she said.

His wealth of knowledge was something that made him charming to others, David said. He paid attention to current events, especially those in China, and was always able to contribute to intelligent conversations – which people could understand more and more as his English improved.

Zheng was passionate about cooking, and had a soft spot for anything that was on sale.

One time, he came home from a shopping trip with three pumpkin costumes made to fit five-year olds.

“We asked him, ‘Why did you get these?’ I was 12, and Alex was nine,” he said. It was also well after Halloween.

He gave them the typically-straightforward answer they were expecting: “They were a good deal.”

“The amount of joy he got because of that deal was more than you could buy with five dollars in any other context,” David said.

Many were treated to his culinary specialty, Oriental food. He paid attention to what people enjoyed eating and made sure to bring it to the table when they were around.

It’s just one example of his understated but endearing kindness towards others.

Over the Discovery Days weekend, the family took a trip to Haines, Alaska.

Zheng was wild about getting Dungeness crab– he knew someone who could get him a deal on the seafood treat.

David said that his dad was relentless about getting the crabs, trying for days to get a hold of the person who could get them.

When they finally caught eight crabs, it was the highlight of their trip.

“He was so frantic about getting them,” David said, adding that it didn’t make sense to him why at the time.

“But when he got them, he was so happy.”

The family ate one crab right away, but when they got home, Zheng gave the remaining crabs away to friends.

Those seemingly simple, but inspiring gestures of kindness are what family, friends and patients of Zheng will always remember.

Comments (24)

Up 6 Down 0

Margaret Inch on Aug 31, 2015 at 12:51 pm

I am very sorry to hear about Jim, Sue May. I remembered when you first arrived in Whitehorse. You both looked after Rhonda and myself. Once I had a bad arm with lots of pain and Jim with his treatment healed it. God Bless and take care

Up 4 Down 2

Mark S on Aug 31, 2015 at 10:17 am

Stories like this bring a little sadness to me. I did not know but wish I knew Dr. Jim Zheng.

Up 8 Down 0

Kathleen Sheridan (Kathy) on Aug 27, 2015 at 9:00 pm

My sincerest condolences Sue May, David & Alex.
May Dr. Jim transition with ease and grace and may you Sue May, David & Alex be blessed with light and love.
Respectfully with love Kathleen

Up 9 Down 1

Marielle Veilleux Schoener on Aug 27, 2015 at 6:37 pm

I'm terribly shocked and saddened of hearing of Dr Jim's passing, I will keep fond memories of him especially of going over to his clinic for treatment and to share tea afterwards. I was so glad to have found a kindred soul. My thoughts are with his family, he will be missed by a lot of us Yukonners who got to know this great person. RIP from Marielle and Helmut in Dawson

Up 14 Down 0

Phyllis Fiendell on Aug 27, 2015 at 12:55 pm

My condolences to Xiu-May David and Alex. Was so pleased to be in involved many years ago to bring Xiu-May and Jim to Whitehorse. The practice of Chinese medicine so very needed during those earlier years. Proud to be a early patient and to learn about Chinese medicine from Jim. Too young to leave us. Xiu-May my thoughts reach out to you and your sons at this time. Phyllis

Up 12 Down 0

Bonita Hughes on Aug 27, 2015 at 10:47 am

My condolences to Xiu-Mei, David and Alex. My words could never fully express the sadness I feel at your loss. Dr Jim Zhang invested his heart, soul and brought his expertise into his Practice in service to others. He will be missed by me as well as so many.

Up 10 Down 0

Nola Lamken on Aug 27, 2015 at 6:02 am

Thank you, Dr. Jim, for your patience, persistence, and generosity! Condolence to family and friends.

Up 8 Down 0

Verna on Aug 26, 2015 at 10:13 pm

So sorry to hear of Jims passing he will be missed by all God bless SueMay and family hugs and love

Up 13 Down 0

Joyce Mickey on Aug 26, 2015 at 4:52 pm

I had been a patient of Jim's for many years and learned a lot about Eastern medicine. I enjoyed listening to his theory's. He was a wonderful spiritual man and he will be missed. My condolences to Xie Mei and David and Alex.

Up 8 Down 0

Ann on Aug 26, 2015 at 12:19 pm

My heart is with your family, and may God's peace upon your family. He is great man.

Up 33 Down 1

Pam Daffe on Aug 26, 2015 at 11:02 am

I am so very sorry for your loss Xie Mei.

Up 26 Down 0

BVTitus on Aug 26, 2015 at 8:09 am

Such a wonderful Doctor and person, he will be dearly missed. Condolences to the family.

Up 27 Down 1

Mariah Andrews on Aug 26, 2015 at 1:28 am

Thank you Dr. Jim. I'll miss you. You helped me so much and shared your knowledge freely. We had great conversations about Chinese/Native traditional medicines. I will be eternally grateful to have spent some time with you. Sorry I didn't see you this past year. Look forward to seeing you on the other side.

Up 25 Down 0

Jo-Mary west on Aug 25, 2015 at 10:19 pm

Jim was a great man, I learned a lot from him.
Will be greatly missed

Up 28 Down 0

Janice on Aug 25, 2015 at 9:40 pm

This guy was a truly wonderful human being. A loss for the Yukon. Condolences to his family.

Up 10 Down 0

rosemary on Aug 25, 2015 at 9:29 pm

I was a patient of Jim and Xiu-May Zheng's when they first arrived in Whitehorse-and attribute my return to health after a life-threatening illness entirely to Xiu-May's care. Jim was always present at the clinic, full of skill and knowledge. They are to me, two of the most profound healers the north has been gifted to know. My love to the family and all their patients. So sad to hear this. Rose Kilmer (now on Salt Spring Island, BC)

Up 11 Down 0

Tom Luxemburger on Aug 25, 2015 at 8:14 pm

I've seen Jim on a few occasions and in all cases he not only allowed me to see my own health from a different perspective, his actions and remedies actually helped get my health back to 100% faster than anything else. After my sessions he would often pour me some green tea and we'd talk about history and culinary. It blew my mind as to how quickly and accurately he could diagnose the root of my health concerns, and how effective his suggested treatments worked. You'll be missed Jim. Your passing is a great loss for the people of Whitehorse.

Up 14 Down 0

Ita on Aug 25, 2015 at 8:08 pm

Talking to Jim during sessions, connected me to the far east. I will miss our conversations and knowledge in life that you passed on. My prayers are with Xue Mei, Alex and David.

Up 11 Down 0

Milly Johnson on Aug 25, 2015 at 7:28 pm

Dr. Jim will be greatly missed by all comm
unities, he was a great caring person, my doctor, God Bless his family.

Up 10 Down 0

Katherine Mary Gillmor on Aug 25, 2015 at 7:15 pm

I seen the Death of Dr. Jim here in facebook and immediately thought about how he helped me through a very traumatic time in my life when I lost David. He's an amazing person and even though I don't live in the Yukon anymore and am on the East Coast, I have a lot of respect for him and his wife. Spiritually they were put in my path as I couldn't cope without that spiritual touch. I remember when he said I'm Strong and will come through this and be fine. Today, my life is rich and I am Strong...RIP Dr. Jim. My condolences to the family and the city of Whitehorse. One great man will be missed. (((HUGS)))

Up 9 Down 0

Evalena Beisser on Aug 25, 2015 at 6:06 pm

sending condolences to family ...

Up 8 Down 0

Faye Cable on Aug 25, 2015 at 5:13 pm

This family has been an important part of my life and many Yukoner's. We will miss you Dr. Jim...as I liked to call him.

Up 75 Down 1

Yukon 56 on Aug 25, 2015 at 4:44 pm

A great loss, my condolences

Up 72 Down 0

Song on Aug 25, 2015 at 4:43 pm

Rest in Peace, Fangping. We all will miss you.

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