Arthur Iwasaki

In loving memory of Arthur Iwasaki

Arthur, “Art” Iwasaki, age 97, passed away peacefully in his home in Portland, Oregon on January 12, 2017.  He was born in Hillsboro, OR on October 27, 1919 to Yasukichi “Billy” and Ito (Baba) Iwasaki, where he resided most of his life working on the family farm after graduating from Hillsboro High School in 1938.

Art was drafted into the Army in 1942 and sent overseas where he was assigned as a radioman to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, I Company.  His unit fought to liberate Bruyeres, a small village on the edge of France’s Vosges Forest and to rescue the “Lost Batallion”. In addition, the 442nd regiment fought the Gothic Line, the German fortification built into the Apennine Mountains.  For his service, Art was awarded two Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars and discharged on Thanksgiving Day, November 1945.

After the war, Art returned to the family farm and along with his older brothers, George and Akira grew the bedding plant business known as Iwasaki Brothers.  He married Teri Yumibe in 1949 and they raised five children together. Very community-oriented, he spent many years as an active member of the Hillsboro Kiwanis Club and the Oregon Association of Nurserymen. For over 30 years, he mentored young Japanese trainees in horticulture through the Japanese Agricultural Trainee Program. He later made his first trip to Japan and reconnected with some of the first trainee graduates, which he regarded as a rewarding experience.

In 1978, at age 60, Art and Teri started their own nursery, Tanasacres Nursery.  In 1999, he retired and sold his business to his eldest son, Bob.  Even in retirement, Art stayed busy volunteering his time, spoiling the grandchildren and traveling the world. He helped to record the history of the Japanese American soldiers (Nisei) during WWII.  In 2009, he established 2 scholarship programs: the Oregon Nisei Veterans scholarship and the Art and Teri Iwasaki Scholarship for high school seniors demonstrating outstanding academic achievement and community service through the Japanese American Living Legacy Organization.

That same year, Art returned to France. He commemorated the 65th Anniversary of the Liberation of Bruyeres and Biffontaine and the Rescue of the “Lost Battalion” with five fellow veterans and their respective families. His last trip was to Washington DC in November 2011, where the 100th Battalion, 442nd RCT and Military Intelligence Service were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. He and Teri, along with his children, made numerous trips to Las Vegas for his annual Company I reunion with the Friends and Family of Nisei Veterans.

Art’s engaging smile was his way of communicating in his later years.  He was best known for his love of family and many friends, his gentle, yet mischievous nature and his efforts to gain recognition for his fellow “Go For Broke” Nisei veterans.

Art was preceded in death by his wife Teri in 2005 and his brothers George and Akira and sister, Kate Yoshihara and is survived by his five children, Bob, Stephanie (Randy Sakauye), Paul, Christi (Tim Wilson) and Leslie (Bob Tsunenaga) as well as nine grandchildren. Art also leaves four siblings, Taka Mizote, Aya Fuji, Dorothy Iwasaki and Rose Sorensen. He will always be remembered for his sense of humor and dimpled smile and will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Please join the family in a “Celebration of Life” on Sunday, February 19th 1-4PM at the Multnomah Athletic Club.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Epworth United Methodist Church, Oregon Nikkei Legacy or the Oregon Nisei Veterans.

Please sign the online guest book at www.rosecityfuneralhome.com