Thomas Cheng ’74

Tom graduated from Lawrenceville, majored in chemistry at Princeton, and graduated from Weill Medical College of Cornell in 1978. Following further studies at Indiana University and the University of Chicago, Tom and his wife, Jean Bayer, settled in the Twin Cities in 1983, where he practiced cardiology for the rest of his life.

His best friends during his Princeton years were James T.C. Li, David Adams, and Peter Chopivsky. They remember him as the most-liked pre-med student, with a sunny demeanor and caring behavior. Tom’s leadership skills led him to the post of Pre-Med Society president.  

Pete recalled that Tom “had a genius for friendship, and his friendships were found in diverse camps. He wrote in the senior yearbook, ’I would not like to be categorized as a member of the Third World.’” Tom was proud of his Chinese heritage and of his parents for instilling that pride in him, but he preferred being just Tom.  

He loved Princeton and was so pleased when his daughter, Katie, joined the Class of 2009. In addition to Katie, Tom is survived by his wife; sons David and Michael; his brother, Andrew ’71; sisters Doreen and Irene; and his parents, Professor and Mrs. Sin-I Cheng.