Kenji Bingo

1936 - 2015

Kenji Kenneth Bingo

April 14, 1936 - March 12, 2015

Kenji Kenneth Bingo (Ken) passed away peacefully, surrounded by family at Good Samaritan Hospital on March 12, 2015 in San Jose, California. He was 78 years old.
Ken was born on April 14, 1936 in San Francisco to his parents, Masatsuru and Sadie Bingo. He graduated from George Washington High School and shortly after joined the army. He was stationed throughout Europe and was able to experience much of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, which he remembered fondly. He married Judy Soda in 1962 and they lived in San Francisco, Daly City, and Foster City where they raised their three children. Ken enjoyed a successful career as a dental technician and he and Judy eventually retired and moved to Oro Valley, Arizona where they enjoyed the wonderful weather and relaxing life as retirees. Recently, in 2013, Judy and Ken returned to California to live in San Jose and be closer to their family, close friends, and growing brood of grandchildren.
Ken seemingly knew someone everywhere he went, and was well known for being an encyclopedia of knowledge, often sharing stories of spending his youth in a Japanese internment camp with his family, to patrolling the Berlin Wall during his time in the military. He was an avid and committed bowler, fisherman, skeet shooter, golfer, card player, father and husband, and lifelong fan of the Giants, 49ers, and Warriors.
Ken is survived by his wife, Judy Bingo, and their three children and spouses: Lori and Mike Flaum of San Jose; Kristine and Dan Ruslen of San Jose; and Kyle and Jennifer Bingo of San Francisco, along with his four grandchildren: Jeremy and Nikolas Verbin, Audrey Flaum, and Emma Bingo.
Ken will be placed alongside his father in Sacramento. A memorial will take place on April 7 at 2:30 p.m. at WestGate Church Saratoga in San Jose. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Ken's life. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Diabetes Association.