Paul Takanari Yamada

Paul Takanari Yamada January 23, 1942 - November 3, 2007 Paul was born in Shinkyo, Machuria. After he graduated from Shudo High School in Hiroshima, Japan, he came to San Jose, CA, to experience the American way of life. He quickly learned English while living and working for the Spencer Williams family. Paul enrolled in James Lick High School, a public high school where the Williams eldest daughter, Carol, also attended. After passing a test given to foreign students, Paul enrolled at San Jose State College and graduated with a B.S. in chemical engineering. Paul supported himself by working as a houseboy, dishwasher, gardener, cannery worker, and lab assistant. He was interested in foam fractionation, so he went to the University of Cincinnati to study under Dr. Robert Lemlick, an expert in the field. In 1972, he graduated with a masters degree in chemical engineering. He began working for Procter & Gamble doing research and later joined P&G's International Products Research Division to introduce Pampers to Japan. In 1982, American Hospital Supply, Japan, moved the Yamada Family to Tokyo, Japan. A subsequent merger with Baxter in 1986 kept them there until they returned to the U.S. in 1991. Paul was vice-president of global marketing at Baxter Hyland in Glendale, CA. Genzyme Japan hired Paul as its president in 1992, and the family moved back to Tokyo, Japan. In 1999, Paul returned to Cambridge, MA, as vice-president and general manager of Genzyme Asia-Pacific. Paul and Jane moved to San Francisco in 2004 when Paul retired. He was an active golfer and fly-fisherman. He enjoyed woodworking, reading, ceramics and traveling. His smile always greeted you, and his positive attitude was evident in all he did. On September 23, 2006, Paul gave up his Japanese citizenship to become a U.S. citizen. His wife of 38 years Jane Yee Yamada and his sister Hiroko Yamada (Katsunori) Ito from Tokyo, Japan were at Paul's bedside when he died. Paul is also survived by his sons David Tetsuya and Gary Tetsuiji Yamada; his brother Yuzo (Reiko) Yamada; nephews, Yosuke and Ryuzo Yamada, and nieces, Ryoko Yamada, Yasuyo (Koji) Takizawa, and Tamami (Yoshiyuki) Nishida, as well as grand-nephew Hawk Nishida and grand-nieces Haruka and Maria Takizawa. At Paul's request, there will be no service. Family and invited guests will participate in a Celebration of Life Party on December 17, 2007 in San Francisco. Two-thirds of his ashes will be taken to Japan for other remembrance gatherings: the first on January 13, 2008 in Hiroshima and the second on January 26, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Celebration of Life Funds via Jane Yamada. Colma Cremation & Funeral Services (650) 757-1300