Walter Kwan, founder of Top Gun Restaurant and O’Asian, died on May 26. The cause of Kwan’s death was an aneurysm.
In memory of Mary Fung Koehler (1933 – 2016)
Mary Fung Koehler was born on December 26, 1933 to Tuck and Li Chen Fung in Chicago Illinois. She was the seventh of eleven children and grew up working in the family’s Chinese-American restaurants. Mary attended the University of Illinois and became the third woman to ever graduate from the school of chemical engineering. She […]
IN MEMORY OF: Tek Hong Wong (1921–2016)
Tek Hong Wong, a quiet pioneer in the local Asian Community, passed away on Feb. 5. A dedicated family man, decorated World War II veteran, and Seattle businessman, his legacy is evident in our community and through the many different people’s lives he touched. He is survived by his children Rick Wong Andy Wong, Phillip […]
IN MEMORY OF …: A fond farewell to James Medina (1950-2015)
James A. Medina (Jim) passed away on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, at his home in Olympia after a hard-fought battle with leukemia. Jim was a loving and dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. Jim was born in Seguin, Texas, on Dec. 29, 1950. He married the love of his life, Patricia Higgins, on Nov. 19, 1977, […]
IN MEMORY OF …: Kenneth Koe, 1925-2015 — Co-inventor of Zoloft
By Kenneth So University of Washington Columns Magazine Kenneth Koe, co-inventor of the antidepressant Zoloft, died on Oct. 7 in Shrewsbury, Mass. He was 90. The son of Chinese immigrants, Koe was born in Astoria, Ore. and grew up in Portland, where his family ran a laundry and lived in the back of the store. […]
Tsuguo Ikeda, community mentor, dies at 91
By Assunta Ng Northwest Asian Weekly Tsuguo “Ike” Ikeda, a pioneer who opened doors to many—especially troubled youths—and broke down barriers for people of color, died on Dec. 2. Surrounded by his family, Ikeda died peacefully at the age of 91, according to his wife, Sumiko. Ikeda was the first Asian American executive director of […]
IN MEMORY OF … — Community leader “Paul” Patu passes
Activist Von Tresckow “Paul” Patu passed last week. Patu was respected as a Asian American community member, and was especially committed to supporting youth, particularly encouraging API youth to continue their education, along with focusing on helping the API community with healthcare and job services. He suffered from a stroke and a brain aneurysm. His […]
In memory of Lisa Lani Chinn
Lisa Lani Matsukawa was born in Wahiawa, Hawaii. She was the daughter of Joe and Florence Matsukawa of Aiea, Hawaii. She graduated from Aiea High School. She attended the University of Hawaii and graduated from the University of Washington. Lisa fought a courageous battle with breast cancer and passed away on Feb. 20, 2014, at […]
Vera Ing leaves lasting legacy
“For many of us, Vera was like a mother…she had a great heart and always saw kindness in people. Our community lost a great friend and a beautiful person.” — Jerry Lee, Mulvanny/G2 By Sue Misao Northwest Asian Weekly Long time community activist Vera Faye Ing died on Jan. 18, 2014. She was 73.
Tama Tokuda passes away at 93
Tama Tokuda, the mother of the late Kip Tokuda, died Aug. 31 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Her death comes a month and a half after the sudden death of Kip, who suffered a heart attack on July 13. Her family said she died of a broken heart.