History on Angel Caregivers

DHTI’s Angel Caregivers project was funded to help YOU navigate for a culturally competent and bilingual caregiver to provide the best care possible for your beloved family members. Angel Caregivers also continues the legacy of Kang and Jessica Chao, whose extraordinary teamwork promoted compassionate cross-cultural exchange and support for over 70 years. 

In 1955, Kang (趙岡) and Jessica Chung-yee Chen Chao (陳鍾毅) were a pair of frugal, young international students who sailed over 40 days by cargo ship from Taiwan to attend graduate school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. By the mid-1960’s, they had obtained their advanced degrees in Economics and settled into tenure-track academic life at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. By the 1980s, Kang Chao was acclaimed for his ground-breaking and bold analysis of China’s economic development, had co-founded the Chinese Institute for Economic Research in Taipei, established and served as the founding Chair of the Economics Department at Qing Hua University, and was one of the foremost Redologists in the world. He and Jessica were extraordinarily committed partners—in work as well as life. They collaborated on nearly 100 books and publications in both English and Chinese on Economics and the Hong Lou Meng (one of the four Chinese classic novels) and raised two daughters. 

Prof. Kang & Jessica Chao in their Early Years

Property From the Collection of Professor Kang and Jessica Chao (Lots 3036-3048) | Qi Gong | 1912-2005 | Calligraphy in Xings

Prof. Kang & Jessica Chao

As one of the few Chinese faculty members in the American Midwest, the Chao home was a special oasis for visiting Chinese scholars, calligraphers, writers, and change-makers. For over 30 years, they opened their Madison, Wisconsin home to visitors from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Europe and beyond. These visitors appreciated being in a familiar environment, discussing topics ranging from art and politics, to current events. Most of all, they delighted in Jessica’s authentic Chinese cooking for it was a taste of home. It was a perfect example of their lifelong collaboration in work, society, and family life. 

Not only did Jessica excel in researching, and proofing publication galleys, she also was an accomplished Chinese chef. She single-handedly whipped up Chinese banquets for the Economics faculty, and their frequent visiting scholars. An Economics graduate of National Taiwan University with a M.A. in Economics from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Jessica was an extraordinary life partner. She delighted in introducing the best of the East to the West. She was a beloved teacher of Chinese language and Chinese cooking in the Madison community at a time when America was just beginning to understand true Chinese culture. 

June 1980, Kang and Jessica kicked off the first International Conference on the Dream of the Red Chamber by hosting the opening dinner in their Madison home. The world’s leading redologists, Zhou Ruchang, Qi Gong, Dai Dunbong, Yu Pingbo and Feng Qiyong presented magnificent scrolls with personal dedications to their gracious hosts. By the time Kang retired from his professorship at the University of Wisconsin in the mid-90s, he and Jessica had a collection of nearly 100 scrolls of calligraphy and paintings which they displayed proudly in their home. 

Kang and Jessica were philanthropic as well as community-oriented. After retiring to California, they donated their entire collection of rare Hong Lou Meng books and research materials, 40 banker boxes in all, to the Ricci Institute in San Francisco. Their goal was to encourage future generations to continue scholarship of the Dream of the Red Chamber. 

In 2020, Kang Chao suffered two strokes and Jessica’s hearing loss had become so profound that she could only process Mandarin-Chinese due to its unique register. The pandemic lock-down was in full-swing. No one was allowed in or out of their home—only caregivers. Finding Mandarin-Chinese speaking caregivers was especially difficult. On November 5, 2020, Jessica Chung-yee Chen Chao passed away. With a patchwork of support, 2021 proved to be an especially challenging year for Kang Chao who tried to carry on without his companion of 70 years. On October 23, 2021, he slipped away peacefully to join her. 

Proceeds from the sale of the Kang and Jessica Art collection have been used to seed the Tian-Shi (天使) Angel Caregivers project to establish a pipeline of bilingual, caring caregivers to help your family provide the best care possible for your loved ones.