Chiun-Hsiou CHEN, CEO of the NCTU Alumni Association

Mayor Wu, a Distinguished Alumnus of National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU), founder of Promaster Technology, and former Chairman of Prowine Enterprise, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2026.

During his lifetime, Mayor Wu was deeply devoted to his alma mater, serving as President of the Chiao Tung University (NCTU) Taipei Alumni Association, President of the Computer Science Alumni Association, and President of the NCTU Alumni Voice Golf Club. Chiun-Hsiou CHEN, CEO of the NYCU Alumni Association, who shared a friendship of nearly twenty years with him, penned this letter to pay tribute to this beloved senior brother.

Dear Senior Brother Mayor,
I went to your memorial service two days in a row to see you. In the photograph, you still looked as wonderfully composed and at ease as ever. Everyone at the venue chatted about the fun memories of being with you, opening your favorite red wines just as we always did. The atmosphere wasn't overly somber—which I suppose fits your carefree, uninhibited style perfectly! Still, I couldn’t help but shed tears.

A Dashing Gentleman in a Fedora
The day I heard the news of your passing, your signature song immediately echoed in my head: “One Night in Beijing, I left so much love behind...” The hero in those lyrics—bold, passionate, singing over wine like the free-spirited northern hero in the song—was a true reflection of who you were. You always wore a British-style fedora, carrying an air of wild charm in every gesture, and you never failed to amaze everyone whenever you hit those soaring high notes.

In truth, you were a legend ever since your university days. You used to say you didn't like studying and even got caught running a track race for someone else, which delayed your graduation. Though you were originally the Class of '78, you didn't graduate until '79! During your fifth year, you had to retake freshman classes—giving you several times more classmates than anyone else. But perhaps that was destiny, laying the groundwork for your vast network of friends across all walks of life.

You mastered every aspect of enjoying life—from fine food to good drink. You were articulate, gifted in writing, and renowned for your generosity and willingness to help others. From your early days at Acer, to becoming Intel's first Taiwanese sales manager, and eventually founding Promaster Technology and making it an industry leader, you always stood at the very top of your field. You were also an exceptional boss; the fact that your secretary stayed by your side for over 30 years is the ultimate proof.

Your deep affection for NCTU led you to take on the presidency of the Taipei Alumni Association early on (2011–2013). Thanks to your magnanimous nature, you often picked up the tab for our alumni gatherings back then, allowing everyone to enjoy each other's company without a single worry. I vividly remember one year when President Guo Hsu-Sung of Yang-Ming University asked me to help promote their 45th-anniversary commemorative wine, and I appealed for pledges during a Taipei Alumni Association event. Right then and there, you stepped up with cool flair and said, “I'll take whatever is left!” That was over 60 cases! That kind of spontaneous willingness to take responsibility still leaves me in awe to this day.

Your care for younger alumni was equally famous. You established a scholarship in the Department of Electrical Engineering very early on, and later created the “Promaster Technology Scholarship” in the Department of Computer Science, continually increasing the fund. Last year, even while suffering from illness, your mind remained focused on the university; you even prepared a will to establish the “Mayor Wu Scholarship.” Later, at the suggestion of Senior Brother Lin Chia-Hsun, everyone redirected the funds originally intended for funeral gifts and flower baskets into this scholarship. Several senior alumni also donated shares, hoping to carry on your devotion to our alma mater and benefit generations of younger students to come.

The Heart of Our Community

According to Professor Tseng Chien-Chao, he first met you during the selection process for distinguished alumni of the College of Computer Science, and he was the one who later strongly recommended you for the President of the CS Alumni Association. You initially declined, feeling the role should be passed to younger generations, but he told you: “It's best if you do it.” And indeed, it was best that you did. Your open-hearted nature and immense popularity built a vital bridge connecting the CS Department to the outside world.

Feeling that the professors' social circles were somewhat insulated, years before the two universities merged, you thoughtfully reserved one or two tables at annual wine-and-dine events to host CS professors. You also invited professors from Yang-Ming University as well as medical executives from Veterans General Hospital and Taipei City Hospital to gather and network, quietly fostering early ties between the CS Department and Yang-Ming. Later, when the CS Department successfully set up its Cross-Campus Collaboration Office, it was built upon the foundation of friendship you helped lay back then. The department's connection with Senior Brother Lin Hsien-Ming was also forged through your mediation. You were like a spiritual leader to us all, whenever you called, everyone answered.

Before the pandemic broke out, while serving as President of the CS Alumni Association, you joined CS Department Director Peng Wen-Ji in rallying alumni from the Classes of '79 and '80 to build Taiwan's very first Computer Museum. Senior Sister Chao Shu-Hua also enthusiastically participated. Everyone contributed both money and effort to organize the department's precious information equipment and antique artifacts, linking together even more resources and support. You truly put into practice what you once said: “Because Heaven blessed me with the talent to attend NCTU, and because I've received so much care from others, if I can give back to society what I've gained from it, that is a deeply joyful thing. ”I also heard that you worked with friends in the business community to help children in the border regions of Yunnan and Myanmar, spreading your compassion to even more corners of the world.

A True Professional in the Art of Wine
Whenever we gathered, good wine was indispensable.

You used to joke that because the amount of wine you drank and gave away as gifts added up to more than a shipping container, you decided to simply open “Prowine” to import and distribute wine yourself. I remember traveling with you to Napa Valley in California—a world-class wine region—where even the owner of the legendary Robert Mondavi Winery treated us as honored guests. That evening's food and wine pairing banquet was brilliant beyond words.

You could talk endlessly and passionately about red wine, from the soil and sunlight of a region, to how each year's climate and temperature affected the growth of the grapes, down to the craftsmanship of oak barrel aging, tannins, and complex layers, you could talk endlessly and passionately. I was both envious and admiring; your knowledge of red wine was truly that of a master, making you a true expert among wine enthusiasts.

During alumni events or holidays, I frequently received high-quality wines sent by you. To be frank, half of everything I know about wine in my life came from my former supervisor Xuan Ming-Zhi, and the other half came entirely from you. We had originally agreed that next time you would take us all to Avignon in the south of France. Sadly, that opportunity will never come again.

A New Stage, the Same Free Spirit

I feel so fortunate that across countless meals and fine wines, we spoke freely of business management and venture capital, laughed over travel and leisure, and listened as you shared the love story between you and your wife, Ta-Shih: “She was my first girlfriend, and now she is my wife. ”Though life took its twists and turns, destiny ultimately brought you two back together to walk hand-in-hand — it was truly romantic. I also saw the side of you away from the spotlight: sitting tired on the sofa, resting with your eyes closed. Behind all the noise and bustle, a genuine soul like yours must have also longed for quiet moments of relaxation.

Three weeks ago, I went to dinner near Minsheng Community. I was already at the foot of your building and thought about dropping by to see you, but decided against it out of consideration for your health. Only later did I learn that you were already hospitalized at the time. For us old friends, whenever we walk near that area, our first thought is always to visit you—I know everyone feels the same way. My only regret is that I couldn't see you a few more times.

You once said with great open-mindedness: “People come into this world with nothing and leave with nothing. Doing a bit more good in life makes you feel genuinely happy in your heart.”

In my memory, you will forever remain that tall, handsome, and charismatic man—the one with friends all over the world, the one who loved to drop a few English phrases while chatting and laughing with a red wine glass in hand. You will always be the most thoughtful, best older brother in my heart.

Senior Brother, your life was rich and magnificent. Your life's contributions to our alma mater and society are complete. Looking at you at the memorial service, frozen in your finest moment, I know you have embarked on your next journey with grace and composure.

May you still be accompanied by fine wine and good friends on your new path. Move to a new stage, and keep living life with your trademark flair!

Respectfully,

Your Younger Brother,

Chiun-Hsiou

May 27, 2026

 

Mayor Wu (1956–2026)

Mayor Wu graduated from the Department of Computer Engineering at National Chiao Tung University (NCTU) in 1979 (Class of '79) and later earned his EMBA (Class 22E). He began his career as a sales manager at Acer, subsequently joining the Taiwan branches of Intel and AMD. In 1989, he founded Sunyoung Electronics. After navigating the ups and downs of business, he embarked on another entrepreneurial venture in 1995 by establishing Promaster Technology. With more than three decades of experience in IC component distribution, he led the company to become one of the industry's leading distributors. In 2010, driven by his passion for wine, he founded Prowine Enterprise, turning his passion into a business while bringing people together through wine and promoting the culture of wine appreciation.

Mayor Wu was long dedicated to his alma mater and philanthropic causes. He served as President of the NCTU Taipei Alumni Association, President of the Computer Science Alumni Association, and President of the NCTU Alumni Voice Golf Club. He consistently supported scholarships and talent development, and was named a Distinguished Alumnus of National Chiao Tung University in 2020.