A 56-year-old man, who was a doctor, father and “devoted husband,” died after he was found unresponsive in a pool at a park district recreation center in Deerfield.
The Deerfield Police Department and Northbrook Fire Department responded around 7:15 a.m. on July 31 to the Sachs Recreation Center, 455 Lake Cook Road in Deerfield, for a call of a person unconscious.
A 911 caller reported a male in his 40s or 50s was unconscious and not breathing and CPR was in progress.
Officers arrived and an AED was being used before the fire department arrived.
Paramedics transported the victim to Endeavor Health Highland Park Hospital where he was pronounced dead around 9:15 a.m., shortly after arriving.
Lake County Chief Deputy Coroner Steve Newton identified the man as Guixing Hu, 56, of Deerfield.
Hu was found in the pool of the recreation center and pulled from the water.
Newton said the incident was initially believed to be a medical event but the Lake County Coroner’s Office was later notified after further investigation “raised cause for concern” of drowning.
The coroner’s office responded and took possession of Hu for an autopsy, which was performed on Tuesday.
The autopsy showed there was some evidence of drowning but a final cause and manner of death has not been ruled yet, Newton said.
The coroner’s office is conducting further microscopic studies to see if it was a medical event that led to him being submerged in the pool or whether he died from drowning, Newton said.
An obituary for Hu said he was born and raised in China and was a “devoted husband, loving father, cherished brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, colleague and loyal friend” whose kindness and generosity touched “countless lives.”
Hu met his now-wife when they were classmates at Nanjing University and later raised two children.
Hu was described as a gifted scholar with an “enduring passion” for learning. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago before beginning his career as a geochemist.
Hu pivoted to computer science and finance and earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation along the way.
“Throughout his career, he earned the respect of colleagues for his intellect, integrity, professionalism, and thoughtful approach to every endeavor,” his obituary said.
His family said in his obituary that he would be remembered most for the way he cared for others. “Warm, generous, and full of life, he had a remarkable gift for bringing people together. He delighted in hosting family and friends, often spending days planning menus, shopping for ingredients, and preparing elaborate meals.”
Hu loved swimming, running and fishing along with playing soccer, tenis and pickleball. “Thoughtful and intellectually curious, he welcomed meaningful conversations and was never afraid to share his opinions with honesty and respect.”
His obituary said Hu’s “warmth, generosity, integrity, and genuine interest” in others earned him the “admiration, affection, and lifelong friendship of all who knew him.”
“Though his life ended far too soon, Guixing leaves behind a legacy measured not only by his academic and professional achievements, but by the countless lives he enriched through his kindness, hospitality, and unwavering friendship,” the obituary said.
Hu leaves behind his wife, a daughter, a son, his mother, his brother and many other relatives.
Funeral services were held on Monday at Kelley and Spalding Funeral Home in Highland Park. A visitation was held from 3-5 p.m., with the memorial service following at 5 p.m.