UW-River Falls community mourns passing of former economics professor and longtime benefactor Charles Kao
UW-River Falls community mourns passing of former economics professor and longtime benefactor Charles Kao
Kao was an influential publisher and government adviser in Taiwan
August 20, 2026—The University of Wisconsin-River Falls community was saddened to learn of the passing of former economics professor and department chair Charles Kao, who left behind a legacy as an educator, benefactor and publisher. Kao passed away August 6 in Taipei, Taiwan, at the age of 90
Kao taught in the Economics Department at UWRF from 1964-1998 and chaired the department from 1971-1980. He was named the UWRF Distinguished Teacher in 1974.
Kao and his wife, Anne, were generous contributors to UWRF, establishing the Center for Pacific Rim Studies Fund, which provided opportunities for visiting professors and artists from Asia to visit the UWRF campus and promote educational exchanges between the two cultures. Alumni events were held in Taipei for many years to bring together students from Taiwan who attended UWRF because of Kao’s outreach.
Beyond this fund, the Kaos contributed to a wide array of priority funds at UWRF, establishing the Dr. Charles H.C. Kao Endowed Scholarship and the Charles Kao Faculty Development Fund. The Kaos gifted their River Falls residence to UWRF in 2011. The Kao House was used for several years as a temporary residence for visiting scholars and a space for meetings, retreats, trainings and other events.
In addition to his academic work, Kao was the founder and chairman of the Commonwealth Publishing Company in Taipei. Kao served as an adviser to several branches of Taiwan’s government and received the Order of the Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon in 2016.
In recognition of their many contributions to UWRF, the Kaos were recipients of the university’s Outstanding Service Award in 2012.
“From the outpouring of tributes from former students and those who knew him, it is obvious that Dr. Kao’s legacy lives on at UWRF and among the many alumni whose lives he touched,” said Interim Chancellor John Chenoweth. “Through their generous gifts, Dr. Charles and Anne
Kao supported excellence at UWRF and have helped us to build international relationships that have had a lasting impact. We remain forever grateful for their commitment to the Falcon community. Our deepest condolences go out to Anne and all those who are mourning the loss of such an extraordinary individual.”
View a 2017 video produced by the university honoring Kao’s legacy at UWRF at vimeo.com/218983704.
Photo: Charles Kao, who taught economics at UW-River Falls from 1964 to 1998, speaks during a visit to the campus in 2006. Kao, an influential publisher and government adviser in Taiwan, passed away August 6 at the age of 90. UWRF archives.