Russie Harumi Hisatake

1929 - 2022

Russie Harumi Hisatake (93) passed away, with his son James at his bedside on Wednesday, July 06, 2022 in Murray, Utah. Russ was born in Paahau, Hawaii to Kimiyo and Itsuo Hisatake on March 26, 1929.

In early 1961, Russ met Johanna K. Wachter while he was stationed at the army base in Bamberg, Germany. His military assignment to Bamberg ended in 1963. Russ' next duty station was in Ukiah, California. Johanna joined him there in December of 1963 where they subsequently married. Russ retired from active military duty in 1974 and the family settled in Draper, Utah.

Dad's life was, at its core, about service to others. He spent his early life supporting his family through the depths of the Great Depression and World-War II. He then spent the next twenty years of his life in service to his country – including tours of duty in Korea, Vietnam, and the European theater. After his first retirement, Russ went on to serve the state of Utah – working for the DWR, Parks & Recreation and, finally, as an educator with SLCC. After his beloved wife suffered an aneurysm in 1994, dad became her primary caregiver until her passing in 2017. Russ spent his later years volunteering for the Rocky Mountain Care Hospice in Riverton, Utah.

His hobbies and recreational activities included carpentry, fishing, watching his favorite sports teams – The Yankees, The Cowboys, and The Jazz. Visits to Wendover and Las Vegas were also part of his recreational agenda. Travel and vacation ventures involved occasional trips to Germany and Hawaii.

Russ was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters and four brothers. He is survived by one sister, a sister-in-law in Germany and numerous nieces and nephews. In the U.S. he is survived by his son James; brother-in-law Bill Nunley and sister Evelyn Nunley (UT); sister-in-law Tomiko Hisatake (KY) as well as numerous nieces and nephews in Hawaii, California, Utah, Kentucky, and New York.

A graveside service will be held at 12:00 PM on Friday, July 22, 2022, at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy, Utah. A viewing will be held at the mortuary from 10:30 - 11:30 AM prior to the graveside service. If you would like to share a favorite story of Russ or for information to watch the services online, please visit larkincares.com.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Rocky Mountain Care in Riverton, Utah.