Benjamin I. Sugawara
January 29, 1920 - December 9, 2011
Obituary
Benjamin Issei Sugawara passed away peacefully on December 9, 2011 at the age of 91. Born in Seattle, WA he graduated from Franklin High School in 1937. In 1944 he enlisted in the army and served as a sergeant in Italy with L Company of the 442 unit during WWII. Before he was deployed he married Kiyoko Tsuji in the Minidoka Internment Camp in Hunt, ID on September 9, 1944. After the war he enrolled at the University of Washington where he earned a B.S. in botany. He was employed at Boeing and retired in 1960.
An avid outdoorsman, he fished salmon, hunted mushroom (matsutake), and dug razor clams. His inborn mechanical skills led to many hours spent refurbishing cars, and he was our go-to Mr. Fixit man. He also taught himself to knit and crochet and was renowned for making his version of “scrubbies”. Ben and Kiki took ballroom lessons and attended dances with their friends for many years. After retirement, they enjoyed golf together. He was an active member with the Nisei Veterans Committee and served a term as Commander.
His warm smile, his gentle and kind soul, his generous and considerate acts will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
He is preceded in death by sons, Rick (Gina) Sugawara and Scott Sugawara. He is survived by wife, Kiki, sisters Ruth Okada and Jane Okada, daughters Carol (Bill) Shinbo and Sara (John) Morgan, grandchildren Denise, Craig, Laurie, Andrea and Kelly and great-grandchildren Jalen, Brandon, Elise and Naomi.
The family expresses their deep gratitude for the exceptional devotion and loving care given Ben at Cascades Adult Family Home by Alina and DinuvStefaroi, Mariana, and Cristina.
In acknowledgement of Ben’s wishes there will be no funeral or memorial services. Remembrances may be made to Seattle Keiro Garden Project or Nisei Veterans Committee.
