ISAMU SANDO M.D.

SANDO
ISAMU, M.D.
On Saturday, April 12, 2014, Isamu Sando, M.D., age 85, Professor Emeritus, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Born in Ashikaga, Japan, near Tokyo, in 1928, Dr. Isamu Sando worked hard as a young man to follow the example set by his father-in-law, Yoshio Ogura who, during his career, had been awarded a Merit Medal from the Emperor of Japan. Dr. Isamu Sando graduated from Nihon University Medical School in 1952 and trained in Otolaryngology at Sagamihara National Hospital. In 1962, he came to the United States with his wife Yoko and their daughter Mariko to do a Fellowship in Temporal Bone Histopathology with Professor Harold Schuknecht at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School. Widely respected and dearly loved by his associates, research fellows and peers throughout the world, he is most fondly remembered as a kind, caring and compassionate Professor of Otolaryngology and Pathology and the Director of The Elizabeth McCullough Knowles Otopathology Laboratory at the University Of Pittsburgh School Of Medicine. He mentored every resident in Otolaryngology at the University of Pittsburgh and over 40 research fellows from his native Japan from 1976, when he joined the department, until his retirement in 2001. He helped everyone advance their careers and share the knowledge he had worked so hard to gain. His contributions to the Department of Otolaryngology were recognized by the Department in the awarding of Emeritus Professor status in October of 2001. His unique ability to describe the microscopic anatomy of the temporal bone in both English and Japanese resulted in a better understanding of many disease processes in the ear and made him a much sought after lecturer throughout the world. During his 50 plus year career, he contributed over 200 publications and published a medical school text book in Japan. He gave over 260 lectures and presentations throughout the world. His research was consistently supported by research grants from NIH and the Deafness Research Foundation. In recognition of his significant contributions to medical science in 2007, he was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasures, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon medal from the Emperor of Japan. He truly lived by his credo, "Think Positive, Work Hard, and Have Good Relations". This is best exhibited by his last year and a half with us in which he cast his walker aside and proudly strode the foyer to shake hands with the Japanese Consulate General while proudly wearing his Emperor's Medal, danced at his granddaughter's wedding, returned to his beloved Japan to see his friends, colleagues, and research fellows at his Alma Mater, Nihon University. Early December brought the birth of his great-granddaughter, Casey Grace and just before Christmas 2013, he achieved his lifelong dream of becoming a U.S. citizen. He is survived by Yoko, his beloved wife of 54 years; daughter, Mariko (Jack); grandchildren, Jackson and Maya (Andrew); great-granddaughter, Casey Grace; sister, Kotoko Aoki; Pittsburgh family, Akiko, John, Miki, Erica and Justin; and his family's beloved hero, Dr. Eugene Myers, who was with them always as mentor, boss, and most importantly, friend. Isamu's passing was peaceful and in the presence of his loved ones. We will miss him dearly. Friends will be received at JOHN A. FREYVOGEL SONS, INC., 4900 Centre Avenue at Devonshire Street, (www.freyvogelfuneralhome.com), on Wednesday, April 16, 2014, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, May 19, 2014, in Heinz Chapel at 2 p.m.
Send condolences at post-gazette.com/gb