The famous material scientist, educator, the former secretary of the Party leadership group and vice director of Chinese Academic Sciences, the former president of Shanghai Overseas Returned Scholars Association, senior fellow of Chinese Academic Science and Chinese Academy of Engineering, special advisor of Chinese Academic Sciences, the 2nd president and the 3rd to 10th honorary president of Shanghai Ceramic Society Prof.Yan Dongsheng died on Sept. 18th of 2016 at the age of 98. Prof. Yan Dongsheng was the founder of advanced material science and engineering science in China and known as one of the most influential academic leaders by the international inorganic material community. He has made plentiful and substantial achievements in high temperature structural ceramics, ceramic matrix composite materials, artificial crystals, special inorganic coatings. He had long concerned about and supported the construction and development of Shanghai Ceramic Society and made outstanding contributions to developing society vigorously and spreading its influence.