Dr. Jianming Li passed away on June 12, 2020 at the age of 58 in his home in Eagan, MN. Deeply loved by his family and highly respected by his friends, students, patients, and colleagues, Dr. Li lived life to the fullest with compassion for everyone around him, dedication to his career, and an infectious curiosity for the world. 

Born on September 24, 1962 in Jilin, China, Dr. Li graduated from Nanjing University with a B.S. degree in biochemistry in 1982. The following year, as one of the sixty students selected for the China-United States Biochemistry Examination and Application (CUSBEA) program, he went to the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center to study biochemistry and received his Ph.D. in 1988. After earning his M.D. from McGill University in 1995, Dr. Li finished his internal medicine residency at the University of Toronto and returned to the University of Texas, Southwestern on cardiology and cardiac electrophysiology fellowship. In 2002, Dr. Li joined the faculty at the University of Minnesota Medical School and the Department of Cardiology at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Dr. Li was the Director of Cardiac Arrhythmia Service at VAMC and Professor of Medicine at the University of Minnesota.  

Dr. Li was a tireless advocate of cardiovascular research, a messenger for public health, and a disseminator of goodwill through his presentations and community efforts around the world. He received many professional accolades over his two-decade-long medical career, including the “Outstanding Contribution Award” (2013) from Chinese Heart Rhythm Society; the “American Heart Association Hero Award” (2013) for his outstanding contribution to cardiovascular care and research; and the “Teacher of the Year Award” (2014) in Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Minnesota. He was also past president of the Association of Minnesota Chinese Physicians and Chinese American Heart Association. 

Dr. Li whole-heartedly embraced the simplest moments in life with childlike wonder and deep appreciation. He loved biking and taking adventurous road trips with his family, a tradition started when he met his wife in Montreal. Dr. Li also enjoyed travelling, taking pictures, and learning about anything and everything. A food enthusiast, he relished the meals thoughtfully prepared by his wife and the baked goods with which his daughters experimented.

We will miss Dr. Li’s youthful energy, loving presence, and keen eye for beauty, all of which lifted the spirits of everyone around him. Our loving memories of Dr. Li and the legacy he left behind will inspire us to work together to make the world a better place.

 Dr. Li is survived by his devoted wife of thirty years, Min Hu, and loving daughters Stephanie and Lori; father Molin Li; siblings: Jianying Li, Jianbo Li, and Jianhua Li; and many nephews and nieces. Dr. Li was preceded in death by his mother Shuzhi Chen.

Visitation will be on Friday, June 19, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Klecatsky and Sons Eagan Chapel. There will be a private funeral service on Saturday, June 20, 2020. Donations to support Jianming’s family can be sent to GoFundMe: gf.me/u/x8zscc. Memorials and tributes may be sent to Jianming-li.forevermissed.com.

Published on June 17, 2020