Dr. Rhyn Hyun Kim

February 16, 2025

CHARLOTTE – Dr. Rhyn Hyun Kim, age 89, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 16, 2025 at The Cypress of Charlotte where he lived the last 10 years.  He was born on February 4, 1936 in Mokpo, Korea to Won-Sik Kim and Yeo-Shim Jung Kim. 

He graduated from Seoul National University; and Michigan State University where he received his M.S. and PhD degrees in mechanical engineering.  Following his graduation from Michigan State University in 1965, Dr. Kim joined the faculty of the Department of Engineering at the newly official University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC), formerly Charlotte College. Dr. Kim was one of only two professors of mechanical engineering and the fifth faculty hire in the department.  He played a crucial role in the early development of mechanical engineering studies.  Over the course of his career, he specialized in thermodynamics.  Dr. Kim worked with NASA participating multiple times in NASA’s summer faculty fellowship program and for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from 1976-1978.  He was a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors. Dr. Kim retired from UNCC in 2002.

Dr. Kim was a member of Myers Park Presbyterian Church where he served as a deacon and an elder.  In his younger years, Dr. Kim fished and swam; in his later years, he enjoyed reading and boating at Lake Norman where he retired.  Dr. Kim also took great care of his retirement companions, his dogs, Chelsea and Dora.

Dr. Kim was married to Songhae Oh Kim from 1966 until her death in 1991. Their marriage produced three children, Juli Kim (Reid Chisholm), Allis Kim Rodelli (Nick), and Steven Kim (Mary Hauser) and six grandchildren, Hannah and Jake Chisholm; Kate and Jack Rodelli; and Peter and Alex Kim.  Dr. Kim married Inja Hong in 1998 and was father to her daughter, Sue Ann Hong-Whitaker (Dr. Xavier Whitaker) and grandfather to their three children, Trenton, Elizabeth and Sophia Whitaker.  Dr. Kim is also survived by his older brother, Dr. Hyun Koo Kim (Washington); and younger brothers, Dr. Hyun Hahk Kim (Atlanta, GA); Dr. Hyun Kyuk Kim (Seoul, Korea); Hyun Sub Kim (Seoul, Korea), and Hyun Suk Kim (Seoul, Korea); and sister, Chung Sook Kim (Seoul, Korea).

Services will be private.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.

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  • Mary-Stuart Alderman

    Juli and Allison, this is Mary Stuart Brooks Alderman - now living on Hilton Head Island, SC. I was sorry to see that your dad passed away - grateful to George for passing it along to Parker, Meredith, Margaret and me. We have such fond memories of living next door to your family on Wamath Drive and if you two being our very first and favorite babysitters! Blessings and comfort to you in the loss of your dad. I’m happy to see that you both have children / your mother’s and father’s legacies will live on! Best wishes to you both!

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  • JACK EVETT

    Juli, Allis, and Steven: My condolences to you. I am very saddened to learn of the passing of your dad. He was one of my closest colleagues and friends during our work together for over 30 years at UNCC. He was one of the finest men I ever knew.

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