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University of California| Berkeley University of California San Francisco

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Halsted N. Gray-Carew & English Inc.

1123 Sutter Street

San Francisco, California

William Kiyasu Obituary

William Sadao Kiyasu, M.D. Second child of the late Dr. Kunisada and Sadako Kiyasu, was born at UCSF in 1923. On Nov 2nd 2010, after 2-year battle with cancer, he passed away peacefully at his home with his family by his side. After graduating Lowell High (1940), he attended UC Berkeley for 2 years but was forced to leave after the evacuation order of Japanese Americans. With the help of the American Friends, he was welcomed at Grinnell College, Iowa where he graduated in 1944. He received his M.D. from Harvard Medical School in 1948. He was the first recipient of the NIH Fellowship in Pediatric Hematology under the late Dr. Louis K. Diamond. He took his residency training at Boston Children Hospital and SF General Hospital. He was Lt. Cdr. in Medical Corp, United States Navy stationed in Oak Knoll Naval Hospital, Oakland and Yokusuka, Jp. He returned to SF to join the office of his father and his late brother, Dr. Robert Kiyasu. He practiced pediatrics in San Francisco until his retirement in 2002. He was an active teacher at Children's Hospital (now CPMC) and UCSF where he was distinguished as Clinical Professor of Pediatric Medicine and in retirement, as Professor Emeritus at UCSF. He was the former Vice-Chairman of Dept. of Pediatrics at Children's Hospital. He served as the Chief Pediatrics advisor at Shriners Hospital until they moved to Sacramento. He cherished his lifelong friendships from his childhood, medical school/training and his professional career. The most endearing aspect of his practice was caring for such wonderful patients. His other activities included community service with YMCA as a board member (1964-1968) and World Health Organization. He enjoyed the arts, literature and music especially classical and jazz. He also enjoyed traveling abroad as well as leisure driving in the countryside with his wife. He enjoyed spending his personal time with his late longtime friend over a glass of scotch. He is survived by his wife Kikue of 51 years, daughters - Miriam and Emily (Matthew), sons - Crawford (Salma) and Charles (Mafe), sister and brother-in-law - Yulie and Akira Nose (Maryland), sister-in-law - Lil Kiyasu (New York), grandchildren - Nathaniel, Marina, Sierra and many nephews, nieces and their families. A private memorial service took place on Nov 14th, 2010 and he was laid to rest on the following day. In lieu of flowers, kindly donate to the charity of your choice. Halsted N.Gray-Carew & English (415) 673-3000

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Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Nov. 18 to Nov. 21, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for William Kiyasu

Sponsored by anonymous.

26 Entries

Margaret Lum

November 19, 2023

11/19/2023
Very long ago, my two babies were cared for by this very gentle pediatrician, after my babies were born at Children's Hospital, SF. My children are now parents, and I have not forgotten this quiet wonderful man. I am now over 80 yr. I was a young mother from New York, my husband was a radiologist.
I am grateful for the wonderful people, such as Dr. Kiyasu, whom God gave us.
Shall he never be forgotten.

Dan Newman

September 21, 2023

Dr. Kiyasu was more than a first-rate pediatrician: he was a positive presence over many years as I grew up. I'm grateful for his caring as much as for his care.

Steven Kiyasu Nose

November 12, 2022

We honor the memory of our uncle
-- S. Kiyasu, T. Masao, M. H. Nose family

Barry Diamond

November 12, 2021

I still think of him often. A wonderful Physician and person!

Steven Kiyasu Nose

November 12, 2020

With Our Love -- S. Kiyasu Nose, Trevor Masao, Maria

janx2 Villanueva

March 1, 2016

Doc was and is my favorite Dr. He was always so kind and gentle, not just with me his pt., but also with my mom who had all the questions. : )

Angela Oppenheimer

January 21, 2016

Dr. Kiyasu was my pediatrician for many years. I remember visiting him as a kid in the 1970's when I was just a few years old, until I was in junior high, I believe. I always thought of him as kind, caring and capable. I never liked getting shots, but he was always sympathetic, and I knew he was taking good care of me. He was a good man and a good doctor.

Barry Diamond

January 4, 2015

He took care of our daughter born 8 weeks premature in 1969. He stayed with her around the clock for the first 24 hours to make certain her breathing was satisfactory. He remained her doctor until we moved away from the Bay Area a year later. He was a wonderful man, very caring of his patients, and a role model of what every physician should be. We will never forget him.

Ron and Maria Groezinger

January 20, 2012

Dr.Kiyasu was our children's doctor. He literally saved 2 of the children's lives . We moved away from San Francisco in 2001 and became out of touch . We'll never forget his kindness , his passion for all of his "kids " his knowledge , wisdom and his humor . Dr. Kiyasu is and will always be our hero and will never be forgotten . Our sympathies to his family . The Groezinger Family

Flora Gordon

December 21, 2010

December 21, 2010
Please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of Dr. Kiyasu. Our deepest regret. Kind wishes to his family. He was my three daughters'(Katherine, Julia, Rosalie) pediatrician until his retirement. We always remember him and were sad to hear by chance of his passing today during an appointment in San Francisco. We loved and trusted him so much we continued to travel to his office for 12 years even after moving out of San Francisco to the Peninsula. He always took our calls at any time we had questions. We are sad he is gone and will always remember him.
Flora Gordon, San Carlos, CA

December 14, 2010

Please accept my sincere condolences over the passing of your mother.
I extend to you my heartfelt condolences.
Please keep your chin up.
May he rest in peace.
With deepest regret,
Tomohiko & Emiko , Haruka Ayumu, Sugiyama from Japan

Michael & Yoshiko Berger

December 8, 2010

Our beloved Bill was like a family member. As others have written, he was on call, always, should either of our daughters, Julia or Maki, need him. Even though we moved away from San Francisco many years ago, we remained in touch and enjoyed long dinners with Kikue-san and Bill. After all that he contributed to ease the pain and suffering of others, we hope he now is in a peaceful place, and perhaps enjoying an evening cocktail now and then.

December 1, 2010

Dr Kiyasu was my wife's doctor when she was a child. When we had children there was no question that he would be our children's doctor also. He always went above and beyond my expectations as a doctor. All of the good things others have written about him are absolutely true. He refered us to excellent specialists along the way when my children had complications. He truly cared about all of the people he saw in his practice. He was a great doctor and a great man.

Dan Kelly MD FAAP

November 28, 2010

Bill was a model and inspiration to many of the pediatricians who practice in San Francisco and beyond; his knowledge and wisdom were matched by kindness and generosity, and he mentored many, many who can only hope to be the physician he was.

Daniel Goto

November 21, 2010

Thank you, Dr. Kiyasu, for so devotedly and genuinely caring for us all like family.

With prayers to you and your loved ones,

Mary Voluntad-Sylva

November 20, 2010

Sad to hear that Dr. Kiyasu has passed he was my daughters (Alexa and Taylor)pediatrician till they were 3 and 1...until we moved to Brentwood. My girls just loved him....
Our sympathy and condolences to the Kiyasu family

Mary Dolan

November 20, 2010

To the family of Dr. Kiyasu, Our deepest sympathy to you. Dr. was a wonderful person, who took care of my daughter,until she aged out. He was always available, and also ready to listen. Mary F. Dolan-Lonergan & Marguerite

Debbie Sugawara

November 19, 2010

I just heard about the passing of Dr. Kiyasu. I always wondered when would be the next time I would get to see you. Without Dr. Kiyasu by my side we would never have survived being new parents. He always made sure that the boys were okay. I was in his office with Kevin when the 1989 earthquake took place! That old building swayed and creaked and I was just so grateful that Kevin and I were with him.

Thank you Dr. Kiyasu for all your support. Thank you for always making me feel like I was doing the right thing. We will miss you terribly.

Our deepest sympathy.

With love,

Debbie and Jack Sugawara and Family

Janet Chan

November 19, 2010

Dr Kiyasu was my children’s pediatrician until his retirement. We were happy for Dr Kiyasu but sad for us when he retired. We miss him dearly and now we will miss him even more. He was the best of the best. He always went above and beyond. Whenever we called his office concerning our children, he always took our calls and always called the next day to make sure everything was better. His priority was always his patients. During our children’s first year, he saw them every month (unusual since insurance only pay for 4 or 5 visits per year for babies.) Payment to him from the insurance company was unimportant. Since Dr. Kiyasu retired, our children now 17 and 14 dread going to their annual checkup. My daughter use to love to her annual check up because it meant she gets to Dr. Kiyasu. Dr. Kiyasu, thanks for taking care of our children and putting us at ease. Our sincerest condolences to his family. Janet Chan, James Yee and Family

November 19, 2010

Our most heartfelt condolences to the the family of Dr. Kiyasu. Although we moved overseas while our boys were still very young, our memory of his wisdom, kindness, and thoughtfulness never diminished over the past 38 years. We still mention him (as lately as a week ago!) to all with young children, and even pass on some of his "words of wisdom". May those same memories bring you, his family, peace with the knowledge that he will never be forgotten!
The Stipinovich Family

The Ohmura Family

November 18, 2010

I am so sad to hear the passing of Dr. Kiysasu. He was my first two daughter's pediatrician until he retired. We loved him so much. He would always call way after hours to make sure my girls were feeling better and he even met us late one night at his office to give my daughter a nebulizer treatment. He always loved to tell his stories while he was in medical school and we loved to hear them. He will be missed dearly.

My thoughts go to his wife and family.

Linda Young

November 18, 2010

I am sadden to read of Dr. Kiyasu's passing. He was my son's pediatrian for 21 years. He was the most wonderful doctor a mother could ask for to care for her child. He was always available for any questions or concerns that you might have. No matter how small or silly you might think the question was. He always made you feel that it was very important to him and the well being of your child.

My sympathy to his wife and family.

Adrienne Clay

November 18, 2010

Dr Kiyasu was my pediatrician from birth until I was 18. (I'm 35 now.) I simply loved him. My father tells a story that when I was 2 and had to get a shot, through my tears I said "I love Dr Kiyasu!" He was warm and funny, and always kind. When I became a mom 2 years ago, I judged every pediatrician I met by his standard -- he's a tough act to follow. My sincerest condolences to his family. Rest in peace, Dr. Kiyausu, and thanks.

November 18, 2010

An incredible, loving and charismatic man who has been an invaluable friend to our family. He will be missed terribly. Kikue, our thoughts and prayers are with you always.

Ed & Theresa Christiansen

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