Rev. David I-Wei Jiang of Circle Pines, Minnesota, passed away on August 30, 2026.

Dave was born on May 29, 1963, in Atlanta, Georgia to Helen Jiang (nee Chen) and Nai-Siang Jiang. He grew up in Rochester, Minnesota and graduated from John Marshall High School in 1982. Dave was a gentle, kind soul with a playful dry wit, who was curious and smart as a whip. Cub Scouts, friends, Chinese community potlucks, church, and summer weekends at the cabin were all part of his childhood.. After surviving a rare brain tumor and its treatment his senior year in high school, David attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois where he earned a degree in Computer Science. He enjoyed good friends and mentors, travel, and the city of Chicago, and working at IBM Rochester during his college career. While a student at Northwestern University, Campus Crusade for Christ entered his life and Dave received the call to the ministry. He continued his ministry in the Twin Cities in the 1990’s and 2000s at University of Minnesota Minneapolis Campus Crusade House, and various churches around town. His passion for bringing people closer to Jesus remained bright for his whole life. His work took him to China - bringing Bibles. Dave wrote and published a book about his faith journey - "My Fortunate Brain Tumor from God”.

Dave loved being with people and cooking. His specialties were home baked bread, eggnog ice cream, Chinese potsticker dumplings, and cheesecake. He enjoyed sailing his sunfish sailboat, riding his 10 speed bike and he loved THE Beatles. Dave also loved to play poker, cribbage and Chinese Mah Jong. He liked Giordano's Chicago style deep dish pizza and eating out at Red Lobster. He ate Oreo cookies and jelly donuts nearly everyday. David was a cat person and was blessed with 3 special cat companions in his life. He was an enigma and an inspiration to his 3 nephews. He was a loving son and brother - a blessing in all of our lives.

David is survived by his mother, Helen Jiang, and his sister Grace Goggin and her husband Matthew Goggin. He also leaves behind his nephews Patrick Goggin (Keziah Kozlowski Goggin), Benjamin Goggin (Chris Miller), and Peter Goggin and many extended family and dear friends, and Charlie the cat. He was preceded in death by his father Dr. Nai-Siang Jiang.

Memorials to Rochester Covenant Church - Missions fund

Memorial Service and luncheon will be held 11:00 am October 2, 2026 at Rochester Covenant Church, 4950 31st Ave. NW, Rochester, MN 55901.