Retired professor of electrical engineering James Hung, who consulted on the “moon buggy” project for NASA and whose inspired students include Garmin co-founder Min Kao, passed away at his Knoxville home Monday, Dec. 27. He was 81.

Born in 1929 in Foochow, China, Hung came to the United States in 1954 to earn his master’s and doctorate degrees at New York University. Known to his friends and colleagues as Jim, Hung joined UT in 1961. He taught systems and control courses in the electrical engineering department until his retirement in 1999.

His most famous project was consulting with NASA to build navigation systems for the lunar rover that became commonly known as the “moon buggy” in the 1970s.

Hung stayed involved in the professional field after his retirement while also volunteering at a soup kitchen with his church and indulging in a passion for hiking.

Hung is survived by Sufeene, his wife of 53 years; son John and his wife Diana; son Samuel; son Stephen and his wife Trudy; and four grandchildren.

To read the full obituary, click here.