Shigeo Katsuyama

Shigeo Katsuyama, born in San Francisco, California, on August 27, 1933, to Shigeharu and Natsue (Nishimura) Katsuyama, spent his early childhood in Nikko, Japan with his grandmother, Asa Saito. The Neutrality Act of 1939 prevented his family's return to the U.S. when his parents came to bring him back, forcing them to settle in Yamaguchi-ken, Japan. Shigeo attended school there, and became an athlete as a member of his highschool's regional champion volleyball team.
Just before his 18th birthday, Shigeo returned to San Francisco in order to retain his U.S. citizenship, and lived briefly with his paternal uncle and aunt, Harry and Alyse (Nishimura) Katsuyama, before moving in with his maternal aunt and uncle, Mary (Nishimura) and Jack Kamikihara. While living with the Kamikiharas, he learned photography by assisting Uncle Jack at Kami Photography Studio.
Shigeo was drafted into the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of Specialist, and served in Korea towards the end of the Korean War. After being honorably discharged, he worked for the National Photo Company while he continued serving in the Army reserves. His photography skills garnered numerous awards during this time. In 1963, he began a three-decade career with Japan Airlines, culminating in his retirement in 1993.
In 1960, Shigeo married Yoko Kimura in Yamaguchi-ken, Japan. Initially, they resided in his small apartment in San Francisco's Japantown, but later bought a house in anticipation of their first daughter's birth and brought Yoko's mother, Fusako Kimura, from Japan to help with their growing family.
After his retirement from Japan Airlines, he joined the Sokoji Soto Zen Mission's Board of Directors as their Treasurer. For 28 years, every Tuesday, he went to help manage the finances as Yoko took care of miscellaneous duties around the mission. At all the services and events held at the church, he could be seen quietly assisting wherever needed. He stirred the takoyaki batter for Sokoji's Cherry Blossom Festival food booth, made his delicious spaghetti or curry for lunch, took photos for posterity, and did his best to contribute his carpentry skills around the facility.
In his later years, Shigeo enjoyed traveling and spending time with his family, particularly his grandchildren. His hobbies included photography, tinkering with gadgets, cooking, gardening, collecting Japanese sword handguards (tsuba), stamps, and coins, watching Japanese and Korean historical or comedic dramas and sumo tournaments, and solving sudoku puzzles.
Shigeo Katsuyama passed away peacefully on April 17, 2025, surrounded by his family. His care in the final days were provided by the compassionate and diligent staff of UCSF Parnassus. Shigeo is survived by his wife, Yoko Katsuyama, daughters Naomi (Simon) Wan and Miki (Michael) Novitski, and grandchildren, Martin Shigeo Novitski and Madison Emi Novitski. He will be deeply missed by his family, extended family, and friends.
Memorial services will be held at Sokoji Soto Zen Mission, 1691 Laguna St, San Francisco, CA 94115 on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Sokoji Soto Zen Mission. Please RSVP by Tuesday, May 20, 2025 to MKNovitski@gmail.com to ensure adequate space and accommodations.