Sumiyo "Sumi" Elinor Kastelic (née Hasegawa) passed away, comfortably and peacefully, on November 29, 2025 at the age of 83. Sumi was born August 25, 1942 in Denver, Colorado to Tsurue "Merrie" Hasegawa (née Kira) and Toshiaki "Tosh" Hasegawa. The family had voluntarily relocated inland from California before mandatory internment was imposed under Executive Order 9066, signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
After returning to Los Angeles and later settling in San Diego, Sumi attended San Diego State College (now San Diego State University). After her graduation in 1964, she was hired to manage a multi-city study focusing on public school dropouts. She later worked for the San Diego County Citizens Interracial Committee, the region's first effort to directly address the needs of its diverse racial communities.
In 1965, Sumi married her life partner and best friend Frank A. Kastelic. Together, they shared a deep passion for helping family and friends and found great joy in celebrating the milestones and successes of others. Their kindness and generosity touched multiple generations.
After moving to the Bay Area, Frank completed his PhD in social work while Sumi continued her commitment to public service through work with a federally funded health agency. She went on to earn her Master of Public Health degree at UC Berkeley.
When the couple moved back to San Diego, Sumi began her hospital career as an administrative resident at UC San Diego Medical Center in 1975. She advanced to a staff role and, in 1980, became an associate director at UC Irvine Medical Center. She returned to UC San Diego in 1985 as part of the health care administrative team. In 1990, she became chief operating officer and in 1997, she was named director of hospitals and clinics. She retired from that role on January 1, 2003.
In retirement, Sumi remained active in the community, which included volunteering with the Japanese American Historical Society of San Diego and participating in the UC San Diego Preuss School's Health Information Program to introduce students to potential careers in health care.
The breadth and depth of Sumi and Frank's impact and influence cannot simply be recorded in words. It extends to the lives and memories of all those who had the privilege and benefit of knowing them. Sadly, her beloved Frank passed away in August of this year. Sumi was also predeceased by her parents, Merrie and Tosh; Frank's parents, Albina and Frank Kastelic; sister Joanne Grendziak Hasegawa; brother-in-law Don Estes; sister-in-law Janis Hensley (Harvey); and nephew Bo Hensley. In addition, first cousins Naomi Kobayashi, who lived with the Hasegawa family in Denver, and Ann Bishop also passed away this year.
Sumi is survived by her sisters Toshiye Carol Estes, Leslie Hasegawa (Doug Bartlett) and Patty Hasegawa (Ed Zimmerly); brothers Mike Hasegawa (Mary Lou) and Gene Hasegawa (Arlene); Frank's brother and sister-in-law Rudy and Toni Kastelic; nieces Robyn Grendziak, Lani Tigchelaar and Ananda van den Bos; nephews Matthew Estes (Rajam Roose), Kumao Estes (Joan), Loren Bartlett (Monique), Garrett Hasegawa, Christopher Kastelic (Erica) and Jon Zimmerly; and many other extended family members.
A formal service will not be held. The family asks that anyone whose life has been touched, shaped or inspired by Sumi and Frank honor them by paying it forward in your own way - an enduring tribute to their lifelong commitment and practice of compassion and generosity.
After returning to Los Angeles and later settling in San Diego, Sumi attended San Diego State College (now San Diego State University). After her graduation in 1964, she was hired to manage a multi-city study focusing on public school dropouts. She later worked for the San Diego County Citizens Interracial Committee, the region's first effort to directly address the needs of its diverse racial communities.
In 1965, Sumi married her life partner and best friend Frank A. Kastelic. Together, they shared a deep passion for helping family and friends and found great joy in celebrating the milestones and successes of others. Their kindness and generosity touched multiple generations.
After moving to the Bay Area, Frank completed his PhD in social work while Sumi continued her commitment to public service through work with a federally funded health agency. She went on to earn her Master of Public Health degree at UC Berkeley.
When the couple moved back to San Diego, Sumi began her hospital career as an administrative resident at UC San Diego Medical Center in 1975. She advanced to a staff role and, in 1980, became an associate director at UC Irvine Medical Center. She returned to UC San Diego in 1985 as part of the health care administrative team. In 1990, she became chief operating officer and in 1997, she was named director of hospitals and clinics. She retired from that role on January 1, 2003.
In retirement, Sumi remained active in the community, which included volunteering with the Japanese American Historical Society of San Diego and participating in the UC San Diego Preuss School's Health Information Program to introduce students to potential careers in health care.
The breadth and depth of Sumi and Frank's impact and influence cannot simply be recorded in words. It extends to the lives and memories of all those who had the privilege and benefit of knowing them. Sadly, her beloved Frank passed away in August of this year. Sumi was also predeceased by her parents, Merrie and Tosh; Frank's parents, Albina and Frank Kastelic; sister Joanne Grendziak Hasegawa; brother-in-law Don Estes; sister-in-law Janis Hensley (Harvey); and nephew Bo Hensley. In addition, first cousins Naomi Kobayashi, who lived with the Hasegawa family in Denver, and Ann Bishop also passed away this year.
Sumi is survived by her sisters Toshiye Carol Estes, Leslie Hasegawa (Doug Bartlett) and Patty Hasegawa (Ed Zimmerly); brothers Mike Hasegawa (Mary Lou) and Gene Hasegawa (Arlene); Frank's brother and sister-in-law Rudy and Toni Kastelic; nieces Robyn Grendziak, Lani Tigchelaar and Ananda van den Bos; nephews Matthew Estes (Rajam Roose), Kumao Estes (Joan), Loren Bartlett (Monique), Garrett Hasegawa, Christopher Kastelic (Erica) and Jon Zimmerly; and many other extended family members.
A formal service will not be held. The family asks that anyone whose life has been touched, shaped or inspired by Sumi and Frank honor them by paying it forward in your own way - an enduring tribute to their lifelong commitment and practice of compassion and generosity.
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