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Asa Hanamoto Obituary
? November 30, 1923 – April 9, 2015
Asa Hanamoto, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and internationally-known landscape designer, passed away peacefully after a sudden illness. Born Nov. 30, 1923 in Sacramento, CA, Asa was one of six siblings: Max Hanamoto, Lila Sasaki, Ben Hanamoto, Dorothy Markiewicz, and Kay HanamotoAs a long time Landscape Architect here in the Bay Area, Asa was a well-known member of his profession. He received multiple awards and wide respect for his work in the field, both domestic and internationally. He was made a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects in 1984. Some of his projects included: developing a master plan for Santa Barbara, developing plans for national parks in Taiwan, Malaysia and several US National Parks. Active in community affairs, he was honored by the city of Mill Valley with a Milley award for his contributions. He was a board member for the Japanese American Historical Society.
Two years ago he was awarded recognition for his military service in the Military Intelligence Division in the U. S. Army during the WWII by receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor at a ceremony in Washington D.C. An honor that he held in very high respect.
A long time Marin resident Asa and his wife, Yuri Hanamoto were avid world travelers experiencing a multitude of cultures and destinations over the years. Asa was also an experienced fisherman and fly angler for the majority of his life. He also had many interesting hobbies that included cultivation of the Japanese art form of bonsai, duck hunting, and mycological foraging.
Later after his retirement Asa enjoyed the game of golf with a great passion, playing several times a week. He fulfilled one dream by sinking a hole-in-one, on two occasions! Asa was still golfing just two days before his sudden illness.
Asa Hanamoto is survived by his wife of 65 years Yuriko Hanamoto, his sons Mark and Gary and by his sisters, Lila and Dorothy of Rocklin, CA.
Memorial gifts may be made to the National Japanese American Historical Society, 1684 Post Street, San Francisco, CA 94115 or to the College of Environmental Design, University of California, 230 Wurster Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720.
A celebration of Asa's life will be held from 2–5pm on Saturday, May 16, 2015 at the Marin Art & Garden Center.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Asa Hanamoto
April 19, 2020
I met Asa and Uri in the 1980's when I was with The Marine Mammal Center. We were a poor fledging organization and we needed help in many areas beyond donations for our growing marine mammal hospital program. I believe my dear friend, gone too soon, Brian O'Neill, introduced me to Asa to help us solve problems relating to flooding from storms and high winds. Asa was happy to volunteer his services and recommended a particular type of grass reed that absorbs water. The Marin Conservation Corps were the ones who planted this reed all around the very large boundary of the Nike Missile site. The wind was so strong that it was hard for volunteers to do their work. Brian O'Neill was the Superintendent of the GGNRA. Asa recommended that some trees be planted for a wind block and because it was our beloved Asa, it was done and it worked.
My life was truly blessed to become friends with Asa and Uri over the years. I so enjoyed their company and was amazed at the friendly Koi fish and loved the rose garden. I never knew roses were named. I learned so much from Asa and Uri about living with humility and grace, about laughter and enjoying life to the fullest.
One night, sitting at the dining table, I turned to look at all the beautiful sculptures, vases and behind me was a funny plastic train in bright colors. I asked Asa about it and he said he found it at a local toy store. This train had moving tracks that would turn and allow the train to pass by a little station or climb a hill. I had 2 AA batteries and you just watched in amazment. It didn't surprise me that it held this great place of honor but made me smile and think of his brilliant mind, contemplating new ideas.
iDear Asa.
You are forever in my heart and I am changed for knowing such a great person.
Peigin Barrett
Herb USMC
June 26, 2015
Hand Salute
Herb USMC
June 26, 2015
Well Done
Herb USMC
June 26, 2015
RIP
Herb USMC
June 26, 2015
WWII Memorial
Herb USMC
June 26, 2015
"ONE OF"
Herb USMC
June 26, 2015
Herb USMC
June 26, 2015
Herb USMC
June 26, 2015
Herb USMC
June 26, 2015
Herb USMC
June 26, 2015
Herb Guyer-Sharfenaker USMC
June 26, 2015
God Bless/RIP,to ALL who served in WWII. The USA would NOT be as it is today.Thank YOU for your service,Asa.... A hand salute to The Medal of HONOR...... And Semper Fi.
May 16, 2015
Dear Yuri and family
We were so sorry to hear of Asa's passing. It was a great pleasure and privilege to know him, what a wonderful man. Our kind thoughts are with you and your family.
Bob and Bobbi Geering
May 16, 2015
Dear Yuri, Knowing you and Asa was a joy and a privilege. I will always hold you both close to my heart remembering walks through the roses with you and my first true understanding of Bonsai as Asa showed me his beautiful plants Thank you for all the wonderful times I spent in your lovely home.
Asa came to the rescue in the early years of The Marine Mammal Center. In the early years we were struggling in so many ways. The wind on that hilltop in the Headlands made it hard to walk on the tarmac. The Park Service did not permit planting of trees as a windbreak. However, when they heard that Asa had designed a windbreak that required only 50 trees they gave us permission. These fast growing trees soon blocked the wind - especially during bad storms. Then, there were flooding problems around the perimeter during storms. Asa designed and directed a plan for planting special reeds around the perimeter that held the water and made the ground more secure. He enlisted the Marin conservation Corps to work on the project. He was our "angel" and when we asked for his help he was delighted to give it to us.
As was a member of The Center's Community Board of Advisers in the early years when such renown people as Asa weren't exactly lining up to help this fledgling organization. Yet, you and Asa believed in our vision for The Center.
I thank you both for the happy times I shared with you. It was an experience I will treasure always.
I am sorry for your loss. Yours was a rare and wonderful partnership.
With much love,
Peigin Barrett
(former Exe. Director of The Marine Mammal Center)
Curry Eckelhoff
May 1, 2015
Dear Yuri,
We here in Tam Valley are so sorry to hear of Asa's passing. He has left such a legacy for us here where you both lived and all over the world. The parts of the world he touched became a more beautiful place.
He was a mentor to me when we both served on the Tamalpais Design Review Board for which I was so thankful and will never forget.
Our thoughts are with you, your sons and their families.
Curry Eckelhoff & Tamalpais Valley Improvement Club
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