Ruth Uchiumi

Ruth Matsumoto Uchiumi A Berkeley resident, passed away in her sleep on February 3, 2012, in Belmont, CA. She enjoyed a long, full and active life. She was born on February 12, 1920, in Seattle, WA, the sixth daughter of Japanese immigrants Takeo and Tosao Yamada. A graduate of Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles, she and her family were forcibly interned in Rohwer, Arkansas, concentration camp during WWII. She was married for 40 years to Tsutomu Matsumoto, a linguist and Japanese instructor for the Military Intelligence Service. During his 28-year Army career, Ruth focused her energy and love on raising their four children, Clyde, Allen, Dawn and Tami. She also volunteered widely in the community. In 1964, the family settled in Berkeley where she joined Berkeley Buddhist Temple. Her husband passed away in 1984. A devoted Buddhist, Ruth gave financial support and opened her home to ministerial students. In 1997, she felt fortunate to marry her loving husband, Sam Uchiumi. After an accidental fall in 2009 caused brain injuries, she lived in a care facility in Belmont where she unexpectedly passed away. Always thinking of others, Ruth willed her body to UCSF for medical research. Ruth is survived by her husband Sam, one sister, Lillian Yuriko Kuwata, four children, six grandchildren, a great-granddaughter and many nieces and nephews. Her tireless energy, generous heart and impulsive spirit are an inspiration to her family and friends. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 11, at 3 PM at Berkeley Buddhist Temple, 2121 Channing Way, Berkeley, with a reception to follow. Donations to honor Ruth's life can be made to the Ruth Matsumoto Uchiumi Scholarship Fund at the Institute of Buddhist Studies, 2140 Durant Way, Berkeley 94704.