Shuzo Chris Kato
December 8, 1926 - February 7, 2012
Obituary
Shuzo Chris Kato passed away peacefully on February 7, 2012 at the age of 85 after a battle with cancer. During WWII, his family was sent to Minidoka Relocation Center in Hunt, ID. Shuzo graduated high school while in camp from Hunt High. He served in the Army from 1945-1947. Shuzo attended Bethel College and the University of Washington where he majored in Engineering. He married Jean Kawachi in 1958 and they raised their family in Seattle. He earned a Masters degree in Chemistry from Oregon State University and his Administrator credentials from Seattle University. An avid judoist and sensei, Shuzo did judo for 60 years and taught judo for 43 years, winning a National Judo Championship in 1957 and earning a 7th degree black belt. He began his teaching career with the Seattle School District in 1953. He taught at Denny Jr. High, Mercer Jr. High and Queen Anne High. He was a Vice Principal at Sharples Jr. High and at Cleveland High. He retired as Principal of Chief Sealth High after 36 years in education. Shuzo was well known for his artistic talent, Japanese cooking and love of a good bargain. He enjoyed traveling, spending time with friends and family, cheering on his grandchildren at events, rooting for Seattle sports teams and trying his luck at the local casinos.
Shuzo was preceded in death by his parents and 5 brothers. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Jean; son, Kent (Bonita); daughters, Cindi (Rick) Kato-Yokoyama, Diana (Steve) Celle, Rose (Lance) Gyotoku; seven grandchildren, Kayla, Kelsey, Kai, Staci, Kyle, Dillon and Paige; brother, Hideo (Janet);sister-in-law, Lillian;numerous nieces and nephews, and relatives in Japan. Shuzo was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church.
Mr Kato,
You were a great and fair principal at Sealth High School when I attended there. You gained and still to this day have my deepest respect! You will be greatly missed.
Dearest Mr. Kato, Thank you for spending your life in education. I had the privilege of attending Chief Sealth High School from 1980 to 1983 while you were in charge! Even now writing this message, one you will never see, I am trying hard to make sure my spelling is just right and my grammer just so… I have always felt you made a difference with your students. It says a lot about a man whom after all these years, still holds such great regard with his students. Rest in peace Sir!
Dearest Jean and Family,
We were very saddened by news of Chris’ passing. He was a wonderful man that contributed to the lives of everyone he knew. He sincerely wanted the best for his students and fellow educators; he will be missed. Jean, please let us know about any help you need.
With love and caring,
Jim & Janet Shelton
Dear Kato family , my heart goes out to you in your time of need. As a alumni of Chief Sealth high school Mr. Kato was very influential in my graduation. I am so sorry for your loss.
Kimberly Dixon
Dear Mr Kato…..words cannot express the admiration, respect, and total loss that I feel right now. You made me feel safe and protected…being the kid from Alaska…attending a school that had more students that population where I lived. You had a wonderful sense of humor, an awesome sense of fairness. The history lesson that we learned of your past and the visions that you had for students of the future. To this day, everyone who went to Chief Sealth has a personal story that they hold near and dear to their hearts…and when we get together…we all sit back and have a great laugh. I wont ever forget the twinkle in your eyes, your smile and the heartiness of your laugh. Thank you for being an awesome influence in my life..and lives of others….may your Memory Be Eternal
My condolences to the family of Mr. Kato. He was a really wonderful principal at Chief Sealth High School and I have always had great respect for his kindness and ability to connect with students. May you find comfort and joy in your memories of his life.
Sincerely,
Cathy Lawson Meagher
Mr. Kato…gone but never forgotten.
My condolences to the family.
I feel so blessed to have had Mr. Kato as an influence in my life. He was a kind and fair principal.
He was so modest…..there were so many rumors of his accomplishments in the world of martial arts. He never bragged, although he could have with so many accomplishments under his “belt”. My kids are karate students and I recently was conversing with their sensei’s about Mr. Kato. I looked up some articles about him and really admired his martial arts achievements. I told my kids all about him.
I did not come from a family who valued education. I can point to two people at Chief Sealth who dramatically changed the direction of my life: Mrs. Walker and Mr. Kato. I hadn’t even thought of college until, he asked me where I was applying to. Because of his “nagging” I applied and was accepted to the UW. Without his interest and influence, I don’t know where I would be today.
I think that any teacher would hope to know that they made a difference in a student’s life. I can tell you that Mr. Kato made a difference in my life. I appreciate and admire him.
I was very fortunate to have Chris Kato as a Chemistry teaching in the fall of 1959, my senior year at Queen Anne High School. He motivated me to study, work hard and realize the benefits of that hard work. It was my privilege to have come under the influence of Mr. Kato and I am deeply grateful for the lessons he taught me about dedication and diligence. 53 years later, I still think about those lessons.
Kato Family,
Thank you for sharing Chris with us at Chief Sealth for the years that we had him.
His positive impact on our school community reverberates even today. It is with gratitude and fond memories that we think of the role he played in our lives as principal.
One is never sure if a particular person realizes the role they played in life, however, Chris positively affected the lives of thousands of high school students in West Seattle. In addition to all his other life accomplishments, that one alone will continue for generations.
Thank you Chris, for a life of service well lived.
Debbie Taylor
Thank you Mr. K. As principal of Chief Sealth during my high school education you made coming to school fun. It was easy to see that you loved your job by loving the students, staff and school. Your example continues to guide countless numbers of students that you taught thourghout your career as an educator. The Seattle area is better because of you. Rest in peace.
Dear Kato Family,
Your husband and father was an outstanding man & educator. I graduated, class of 1980 @ CSHS. May God richly bless you all with pleasant memories of Chris.
Sincerely, Curtis
Dear Kato Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Kato’s passing. He was a wonderful man and I was priviliged enough to have him as my principal when I attended Chief Sealth High School. He was kind and understanding, more than just a great educator, but a very fine person too. He will be missed.
I went to Chief Sealth from 1979-1982. Mr Kato was a great Principal and human being. I was able to talk with him several time, both from getting into trouble and as a friend. He did many things for me to help me get through school and life in general. You were a great person Mr Kato and will be missed. RIP
(Article attached was from a student in 1981)
I am proud to remember Mr Kato as a good man, a fair man, and a man I looked up to. May he rest in peace. I know I am a better person for having known him.
You will be missed.
I graduated from CSHS in 1982. My memories of Mr. Kato are of him walking down the halls, smiling, and greeting students. He was kind and approachable. I’m sorry for your loss and hope you find comfort by the life he led. May God bless you and give you peace.
Our deepest sympathy to a great principal. I had the honor of knowing Mr. Kato when I went to Chief Sealth High School from 1979 – 1981. A great man. The class of 1981 will always remember him. Our prayers our with the Kato family on your loss of your dear loved one.
Sincerely Yours,
Steve & Estela Talmadge
To the Kato family, I am very sorry for your loss, my prayers are with you. I remember Mr. Kato as being a very nice man, I went to many, many schools growing up and of all the Principal’s I had, he was one of the best. He will be greatly missed.
May our Lord comfort you doing this time of sorrow.I remeber Mr. Kato standing in front of school everday with smile and his presence represented control and security. He knew me all my siblings and always treated us students fairly. I was always interested in his love of martial arts and witness him in action he was a force. A wonderful man who left a lasting impression on so many people.
I attended Chief Sealth, graduating class of 1982. I remember Mr. Kato as a happy man.,with a quieter mannerism. always respectful for the studends..and staff. May he always be present in your hearts and minds..CLASS OF 1982,will have a moment of silence in honor of Mr. Kato…
God bless the family
Dear friends and family of Mr. Kato: He was a young biology teacher at Denny Jr. High when I first knew him. I didn’t like to study cells, but he appreciated my efforts. At Queen Anne High School, he let me into Chemistry a year early. I did poorly and always regreted it. Now , more than 50 years later, I’m finally learning the periodic table and thinking of how patient and forgiving a teacher Mr. Kato was! And he was awesome in his judo outfit. He had a quiet strength about him which always made me respect him, but he was friendly, too
Mr Kato,
Angels have wrapped their loving arms around you, may you now only feel peace and love.
Many prayers and loving thoughts for your family
To the Kato Family: I knew “Chris” at Chief Sealth HS from 1978 to 1984. I could right a book on his temperment, his since of justice and humor. His Uncanny abillity to “Be” where he needed to be, was something that no one ever wished to be the recipient of, but was always astounded to witness.
He saw me through some very difficult and trying times at school. He awarded me my first Scholastic Achievement Award. He was ever so tolerant of the antics that a friend and I would get into…turning a blind eye as it were; as long as no harm was done.
He would also try to hide the look of pride that he had in us when we would go striding down the hall, singing the song of the day from Chior… but sometimes, the smile would just not be hidden. He had a warm smile. He Personally handed me my Deploma long after others from my class received theirs; at Sealth, in his office, with a lecture on the benefits of being a trustworthy adult. I’ve never fogotten his leasons.
“Chris” will always have a specil place in my heart and memory as someone who had faith enough in me to not let me fail on his watch.
To The Kato Family, Our prayers and thoughts are with you during this time; to this day my 2 brothers and I talk about educators that we remember and respect. Mr Kato was one person we totally admired. He definately had a profound affect on many students over the years. He will be missed. Sincerely, Walter, Geophrey and Lena Charles.
Blessed farewell to a caring educator and mentor.
You taught me a lot while at school, and gave me guidence to be a better person. You will be greatly missed.
Rest in peace Principal Chris Kato, you will will be in the memories of many Chief Sealth students forever.
Farewell to a wonderful person who made such a difference in the lives of so many… You will always be remembered by the students who were fortunate enough to have learned by your example. Rest in peace.
Respectfully,
Bob and Vickie Viloudaki
~ Chief Sealth class of 1982 ~
Dear Kato Family,
I was a 1982 grad of Chief Sealth. I really appreciated Mr. Kato’s fairness and kindness. He was much more than a principal. He spoke to everyone, whether you were popular, or not. He was a great man, and inspiration. Thank you for sharing him with us. We owe you a debt of gratitude.
Kim Martin
I have great memories of Sensei Kato from Seattle Dojo in the 70’s. He was a wonderful teacher and a caring person. I’m sure he will be greatly missed by so many.
Mr Kato was a very special 8th grade science teacher at Denny (I had him 1957-58) and I know from my step-sons who had him as a principal at Sealth, that he was highly regarded. It is the kind of care and devotion that Mr Kato showed both in the classroom and as an administrator that we need to see emulated in today’s educators.
Mr Kato was a really nice principal he always was making sure you were ok and getting where you needed to be. I remember when I first got to Sealth I was so lost he was so nice to help me find my class and was there after class to make sure I got to the next class. I felt like a moron but he made it feel just like a big brother getting me there. Graduate 1982
As a teacher, I now understand that the principal sets the tone for the school. Not only was Mr. Kato a great and caring principal, the tone he set for Chief Sealth (1979-1983) was positive as the teachers seemed to like their job. One way he showed he cared was by taking the time to know students names. Another was taking lots of pictures at the school events and posted them in the showcases in the hallway near the foyer of the school. That was one of his pride and joy. I loved coming to school each day because I felt cared for.
My deepest sympathy to the family.
Susan (ThuNguyen) Showalter
Such a pleasure to have known a wonderful and fair man in high school at Chief Sealth HS. Mr. Kato you will be sadly missed but remebered in our hearts always. Mamy condolences to the Kato family.
Mr. Kato will b greatly missed. He was my principal during my freshman year at Chief Sealth. I remember moving that year and he could only give me so many bus tokens… And so when he couldn’t give me anymore, he started picking me up and giving me a ride. Funny, we moved, to Skyway, I guess not to far from where he lived… I would get to school and rush off so no one would see me getting a ride from the principal…. Didn’t want to get teased…. He was a very nice and caring man, who cared for us kids and left an imprint on many lives… He will live on in all he has touched… God bless the family…
Chris Kato, you were one of the greatest and most wonderful team mates I have ever had. Your wisdom, courage and compassion touched my heart and the hearts of so many students at Cleveland High School. I miss you, but know I will see you again.
I remember Mr. Kato as a dedicated teacher, and Vice Principal at Cleveland High School in the early to mid 1970’s. i took two quarters of Judo where Mr. Kato was my instructor. Not only did I learn the basic fundamentals of Judo, but i learned that it was possible to throw a man who probably outweighed me by 80-90 lbs. I also remember Mr. Kato would venture off campus to ensure that students who were skipping classes would return to their classes. To the family of Mr. Kato, I wisto express my deepest sympathy and sorrow for your loss.
Mr. Kato was a great principal. He was silently the most imposing force in the building, but he was kind and wonderful to those who deserved respect.
Get the feeling that many of today’s school shenanigans wouldn’t have been in play back during Mr. Kato’s years as principal.
Mr. Kato would on occasion ask certain students doing certain administrative jobs for special attention to a project of his. He would reward (us) with a candy bar for a job well done. It seems small, but it meant something at the time… (along with the implicit right to EAT said candy bar during classroom hours – after all, who was your immediate superior going to report you to should they object??)
May he rest in peace.
Thank you Uncle Shuzo for the many things you did for the family. I remember you taking my father-in-law and his friend for a tour while they visited Seattle, making mochi candy for my kids, and taking us kids to a movie at one of Kent’s birthday parties.
Our prayers go out to my Aunt and my cousins and their families.
I was a student at Chief Sealth high class of 87 Mr. Kato was a very good principal. But not only a good principal,a good man to. He was strict but fair if you where out of line, he let you know it. He will be missed by many people who knew him. Deepest sympathy for the loss of a great man.
I was an ’84 graduate of Chief Sealth and I remember Mr. Kato always with a smile on his face and a kind word to students. What an amazing educator and a wonderful example to all of us! My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. He will be greatly missed.
Dear Kato Family,
My late husband, Marty Sibonga, worked with Shuzo at the Seattle Dojo. I know that Marty admired Shuzo for his dedication to the sport. Many’s the night I would stop by to pick up Marty and my son after practice and Shuzo would be there, patiently providing instruction not only on judo but on good sportsmanship. Shuzo was an exceptional person, and will be deeply missed by our community.
Dear Jean,
Tebo and I just returned from the islands and heard the sad news.
As I think of my association with Shuzo, I remember how kind he was to me – treating me like his “little sister”.
After around 20 years had passed, growing up and living our lives (as you know), I was serving on the board of University of Washington Alumnae Club. I was in charge of sending out Scholarship Applications to all the high schools.
Lo and behold, one returned with a note written across the top from Shuzo (I did not know until then, that he was a school principal.) with greetings and questions as to how I was.
I was pleasantly surprised and touched that he would take the time out of his busy day, let alone remember who I was.
He will always be remembered as a “caring” person. What better way to be remembered!
Our thoughts are with you in your time of sadness and sorrow.
Take care,
With love,
Kiku Matsudaira
(nee: Kriss Kodama Tanaka)
Dear Jean and Family,
We were sorry to read that Chris has died. We remember him as a quiet man and good neighbor on 36th Ave. South. May he rest in peace and may all of you be comforted by God during these sad days.
I was sorry to hear of Mr. Kato’s passing. He was my chemistry teacher at Queen Anne High School (class of ’71). It was because of him that I continued my studies in chemistry and utilized them in my career for several years in the field of Occupational Safety & Health. He was a wonderful teacher. I have many fond memories of my time in his class.
Nothing but good memories of seventh grade science ar Denny. You won’t be forgotten
thank you for serving you we a great human being and an amazing teacher to so many c.s.h rest in peace dear man .
I took Mr. Kato’s science class at Denny Jr. High in about 1955. He told us about fisheries science. This interested me greatly, and I spent a career as a fish biologist. At student assemblies, he amazed us with feats of martial arts.
Condolences and best wishes to Mr. Kato’s family.
Mr Kato was my teacher for two science classes at Denny Jr High. Since I’m 68 now, that was a long time ago. He was a tremendous teacher and person. The best teacher I ever had in all my years of school (up to a Masters Degree). He touched so many lives with grace, knowledge, and good humor. I will never forget him.
Thank you, Mr Kato.