Mr. Fu Guoyong, a prominent scholar of education, historian, and author, passed away suddenly at the age of 59 from a heart attack in the early morning of July 7, 2025, at his residence in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.
Born in Yueqing, Zhejiang, in 1967, Mr. Fu studied Chinese language and literature at Wenzhou Education College in 1986. The following year, he taught Chinese and history at a rural middle school in the Yandang Mountains. Since 1999, Mr. Fu had dedicated himself fully to writing, producing nearly two million words published in various publications such as "Book House," "Essays," "Orient," "Southern Weekly," and "Wenhui Book Review Weekly." Several of his pieces were selected for the Shandong edition of Chinese language textbooks.
Mr. Fu's academic research focused on modern Chinese history, and in recent years, he has devoted himself to the field of education. Over the course of his career, he authored 35 books, including A Century of Xinhai Revolution (《百年辛亥》), Biography of Jin Yong (《金庸传》), Biography of Ye Gongchao (《叶公超传》), A Hundred Years of Dream Seeking (《百年寻梦》), In Search of Lost Traditions (《追寻失去的传统》), Lighting up Education (《给教育燃灯》), and How to Cultivate Good Citizens (《如何培养好公民》). Remarkably, just a day before his passing, on July 6, he had shared a post on his WeChat Moments promoting the upcoming reprint of his book Finding the Beauty of the Chinese Language (《寻找语文之美》).
Out of his deep concern for education, Mr. Fu developed a children's mother tongue curriculum titled "Dialogue with the World" and established the "National Language School" in Hangzhou. His two books, Middle Schools in the Past (《过去的中学》) and Primary Schools in the Past (《过去的小学》), systematically examined historical records and collective memories of primary and secondary education spanning the fifty years from the late Qing dynasty through the Republican era, reconstructing the educational landscape of that era.
Reflecting on this period, Mr. Fu noted, "The education of that era had its problems and shortcomings, but its most defining feature was its unwavering focus on educating the whole person, rather than training for utility. Its goal was the development of well-rounded individuals, not the pursuit of success. This form of human-centered education was the most vibrant aspect of that time."
Among his works of historical reflection and analysis, Mr. Fu also acknowledged the role of missionaries in contributing to China's modernization.
His passing has sparked widespread remembrance, including from the Christian community.
Teacher Zhang, a Christian committed to cultural and historical communication, wrote on WeChat Moments: "We never know whether tomorrow or an accident will come first. We are but a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Cherish the present and live for the Lord, so we may not be ashamed before Him. May the Lord comfort my fellow believers and warn the world."
A Christian intellectual also paid tribute to Fu online, describing his writing as "full of sincerity—the sincerity of a youthful soul, neither slick nor dull, but childlike in its purity," and remarked, "Everyone has different gifts."
A student of Fu expressed deep gratitude by composing a memorial poem. In it, the student recalled, "He lived in Jesus Church for several years. By chance, he encountered a sacred book, though its meaning eluded him. Ordinary people might discard it, but extraordinary ones reflect. He gradually entered the holy path and renewed his understanding of history. Time is like a mill, and God transforms all things." The poem went on: "At fifty, he discovered he was seriously ill, yet he toiled day and night without rest. He taught tirelessly and gave of himself selflessly… Heaven is eternal, and may he now rest in peace."
A Christian reader who had never met Fu in person but shared mutual friends admired his courage in "making statements." Reflecting on Fu's book Between Staying and Going (《去留之间》), the reader wrote of sensing the author's "warm compassion for the fish on the chopping board of history" and hailed him as "a window opener" of the times.
Pastor Cui, who has served at a church in southern China for over a decade, remarked that Fu's writings were remarkably free from the "preachy, paternalistic tone" often found in today's discourse. Pastor Cui also prayed for Fu's eternal rest.
Another Christian writer, who has long worked in the field of marriage and family, remembered him on WeChat Moments: "He was a very good Chinese teacher."
A Christian brother reflected on the similarities between his own experiences and those of Fu, expressing heartfelt appreciation for Fu's academic encouragement. He praised Fu's pioneering spirit in launching "small-class study tours," which helped initiate the study tour movement in China. He also expressed hope that Fu's young readers would embody his spirit: "Study while you work—you may become the next Fu Guoyong. Over time, your mess may reveal its meaning. Guoyong is like a grain of wheat that falls into the ground and dies, but it will bear much fruit."
Originally published by the Christian Times
- Edited by Karen Luo and translated by Poppy Chan
