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520 W Raye Street
Seattle, Washington
Dr. Francis Masateru Fukuhara 1925-2016
Francis Masateru Fukuhara was born on January 30, 1925 in Seattle, WA and died peacefully in Seattle on October 9, 2016. Mas was the oldest son of Shigesaburo Fukuhara and Yasuko Hirai, both from Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture in Japan. He had three siblings, older sister Ruth, and younger brothers Kyle and Curtis.
Mas attended primary school at Washington School, then high school at Broadway High. In May 1942, his family was evacuated first to the WCCA Center in Puyallup, then interned at the WRA Minidoka Relocation Center in Hunt, ID. In July 1944, he entered the US Army and served in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) until being discharged in August 1946.
In 1952, Mas began his work as a Fisheries Biologist with the Federal Government. This was the start of a long and distinguished career that enabled him to travel the world and negotiate international fishing treaties, earn a doctorate degree (PhD) from the University of Washington in Fisheries, and eventually becoming the Director of the Northwest and Alaska Fisheries Center. He was also an Associate Professor for the College of Fisheries at the University of Washington.
On the eve of 1953, Mas met Patricia Toshiko Tamiyasu at a New Years party, and the couple were married later in August of that year in Portland, OR. This was a union that would last for over 63 years with the birth of four (4) children and eleven (11) grandchildren.
In 1980, Mas retired from his federal service career. He continued consulting in the fisheries and environmental fields on a part time basis for the next 8 years.
In 1988, Mas assumed the post of Commander for the Nisei Veterans Committee, where he worked to establish the “Uncommon American Patriots” project that honored Japanese-American veterans from the local area who were killed in action.
In 2011, along with other Nisei veterans, Mas traveled to Washington DC to receive the Congressional Gold Medal for distinguished military service during World War II.
Mas had many interests in his life including being an avid golfer, running, veterans affairs, Japanese-American history, sumi-e painting, traveling and writing. He liked animals and enjoyed his pets and those of his children. However in his autobiography, he said that the greatest joy in his life came from watching his family grow larger and bond together.
Mas was preceded in death by his parents Shigesaburo and Yasuko, sister Ruth Nakata (Mike), and brother Henry Kiyotake “Kyle” Fukuhara (Kiyoko). He was also preceded by his good friends Mack and Aiko Shoji and many others.
Mas is survived by his wife Toshi, children Catherine Takisaki (Mark), David Fukuhara (Sandra), Teresa Mori (Victor) & Marci Shimizu (Eric). Grandchildren Lauryn (Matt), Jason, Kirsten, Kyle, Kevin, Kiki, Jayme (Per), Shawna, Ryan, Sydney and Ty).
Mas is also survived by his brother, Curtis Yoshihiro Fukuhara (Nancy).
There will be a Church Service of Mas Fukuhara’s life on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at St. Paul's Church at 10:30 am. Followed afterwards by a Celebration of life at 12:00 pm. noon, at the Joy Palace Restaurant, both in South Seattle.
All remembrances may be made to either Nisei Veterans Committee (NVC) or the Keiro Northwest Home Care Program.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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Butterworth Funeral Home - Arthur A Wright Chapel & Queen Anne Columbarium520 W Raye Street, Seattle, WA 98119
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