Honorary Degree Recipient Jack Yoshihara Passes Away
Posted May 14th, 2009 by MattAbout a year ago, former students were brought to campus to take part in commencement to receive their honorary degrees. You may remember previous postings on this in the “At Long Last” series.
Sadly, Jack Yoshihara who attended the ceremony to receive his honorary degree has passed away. On behalf of the the Oregon State University community, I would like to extend our sincere condolences to Jack’s friends and family. He will be greatly missed. Below you see Jack’s obituary from the Oregonian, a photo with former OSU Japanese American Student Association President Kristen Atebara from the Gazette Times, as well as a short video with footage from last year’s honorary degree commencement activities of former ASOSU President talking about Jack and the experience of the executive order internment announcement.
From The Oregonian:
Jack Yoshihara, a longtime Portland resident, passed away on April 20, 2009, in Seattle. He was born in Okayama, Japan on May 1, 1921, and emigrated with his parents from Japan.
A graduate of Benson High School, he attended Utah and Oregon State Universities. Jack received an honorary degree from OSU on June 14, 2008, due to his internment at Minidoka Relocation Center, Idaho, during his college years. He was a member of the 1942 Oregon State Rose Bowl team, but did not play due to wartime travel restrictions. Jack worked in refrigeration, and retired as a member of the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 235. He was an active participant in judo, kendo, sumo, fishing, mushroom hunting and excelled in football. Working in his garden, grooming his bonsai trees and wood carving also provided enjoyment. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elsie Masuda. Jack recently remarried and moved to Edmonds, Wash., where he is survived by his wife, Mary Arai; her daughter, Stephanie Ulstein of Bellevue, Wash.; sister, Misa Minagi of Portland; son, Jay Yoshihara of Portland; daughter, Lynn Kanaya of Gig Harbor, Wash.; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. There will be no service, as his spirit will be kept alive by many kind thoughts. Remembrances may be sent to the Oregon State Beaver Athletic Student Fund or the Ikoi No Kai Senior Hot Lunch Program in Portland.
[photo from The Gazette Times]
Former ASOSU President talks about Jack and the executive order announcement of the internment.
–mko
Related posts:
- OSU Gives Honorary Degrees to Japanese Americans
- At Long Last: Japanese American WWII-era OSU Students Receive Honorary Degrees
- Meet the Students Behind the Japanese American WWII-era Honoree Degree Ceremony
Tags: 4066, 9033, Honorary Degree, JASA, oregon-state-university, OSU
May 15th, 2009 at 6:13 am
Jack Yoshihara was a great man and will be greatly missed.
May 28th, 2009 at 10:24 am
He was indeed an excellent man, my heart goes out to his family. Thank you for the update and video
September 24th, 2009 at 8:52 am
Jack really was an amazing man, it makes me proud that OSU granted him an honorary degree. Thank you for the video and kind words.
October 2nd, 2009 at 7:59 am
He should be very proud of this. Really nice !!
October 19th, 2009 at 11:19 am
Now heaven is happy!
October 20th, 2009 at 4:19 am
Jack was a nice man.. My heart goes out to his loved ones…We miss him for sure..
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:29 am
God rest his soul. I met him on a trip to OSU. Didn’t know he passed away.
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:16 am
yeph Jak was really a nice person. Love him always.
November 7th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
It’s a very interesting subject I was looking around about more information but you got really what i was looking for in your article so thanks and keep it up you have a great blog .
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