In Memoriam: Byung T. Cho, professor emeritus of management

Byung T. Cho, professor emeritus of management at the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business, passed away Monday afternoon (Oct. 15). He was 86 years old.

Cho joined the Notre Dame faculty in 1966 and taught for more than 50 years in the business school until his retirement to emeritus status in 2007.

During his time as a professor, Cho was recognized by his students with outstanding teacher awards in 1975, 1977 and 1978. He served as an adviser and mentor in both official and unofficial capacities for hundreds of students over the years, and especially for Korean and Japanese students. He also served as the principal of the first Korean Language School in South Bend. He was fluent in three languages, and served as an interpreter for the United Nations before moving to the United States.

Born April 14, 1926, in Wonsan, Korea, Cho emigrated to the United States in the late 1950s, where he married Ock N. Cho. She preceded him in death in 2006. Their son, Eugene S. Cho of Seattle, Wash., survives.

Cho grew up under the Japanese occupation of Korea during World War II, and attended Meiji University in Tokyo until he was drafted into military service. After the war and subsequent declaration of Korean independence, he completed his bachelor’s degree at Seoul National University. He eventually moved to the United States and earned his master’s degree at the University of South Carolina and his Ph.D. at the University of Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Michiana Korean Presbyterian Church.

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