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Ronald Katsuyama Obituary
Ronald Katsuyama, 76, passed away peacefully March 2nd with his wife Jane and family by his side after bravely battling cancer.
Ron grew up in San Francisco and was a member of the Boy Scouts Troop 12. He graduated from Washington High School and U.C. Berkeley and earned a Ph.D from Vanderbilt University. He retired from the University of Dayton in 2017 and was honored as a professor emeritus of psychology.
Ron was among the 120,000 Americans and Japanese immigrants incarcerated by the U.S. government during WWII. The experience inspired his commitment to fight for civil rights, serving as Japanese American Citizens League National Board VP, Dayton JACL president, and Japanese American National Museum Governor.
In Ohio, he co-founded the Dayton Asian American Council and Ohio Asian American Coalition, and served on the Ohio Governor's Asian Pacific Islander Advisory Committee for Governors Strickland, Kasich, and DeWine. He helped bring George Takei to Dayton to perform the musical "Pacific Overtures."
Ron loved running marathons, especially in New York and San Francisco.
He is survived by his wife Jane, children Sean (Hyunju) and Jana (Tito), grandson Tatsuo, niece Kathy Brodowy (Bret) and many relatives. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that remembrances be made to the National JACL "Ron Katsuyama Memorial Fund" https://jacl.org/donate.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ronald Katsuyama
William Moroney
June 25, 2024
I was a colleague of Ron´s from 1990 to 2008. While our disciplines did not overlap, I was always impressed with Ron´s work. However, I was most impressed by Ron´s style. He had an inner peace which by his very presence he shared with others. I for one am better for having known him and I am sure that I am the only one who had that experience. The world needs more people like Ron..
Rob Crutcher
June 8, 2024
I was a colleague of Ron's for many years in the University of Dayton Psychology Department. I recall many wonderful conversations with Ron about second language acquisition and psychology, including the one we had when I interviewed for a position at UD in 2001. Ron was a caring and sensitive person and a great colleague. I'll miss him.
Steve Prikockis
August 14, 2022
Dr. Katsuyama was my advisor @ UD 1994-1995. He was one of my favorite instructors in my college years and I'm very sorry to hear of his passing.
Yushu Sun
July 15, 2022
I was shocked when I heard this sad news. Dr. Katsuyama was my favorite professor when I was a student at the University of Dayton. He was very patient and nice to every student. I regarded him as my role model throughout every piece of life. I will never never never forget Dr. Katsuyama.
Tony and Ethel Lapitan
March 23, 2022
It is hard for us to believe that Ron is no longer with us. That is the penalty when we move far away from home and old friends. We send our love and prayers to Jane and his family. We miss him and the marvelous conversations we used to have.
Kathleen Gierhart
July 3, 2021
Dr. Ron Katsuyama was a favorite professor of mine while I did my graduate schooling at the University of Dayton. He chaired my thesis. He also created videos while demonstrating the stages of development as defined by Jean Piaget. I was just watching the three old videos this evening and looked his name up only to find the obituary. My heart goes out to his family. In my experience, he was kind, caring, and supportive. He was intelligent and wise. My son was impacted as well. I fully appreciate the impact on my life which helped me graduate and have an impact on my clients. His was an Exponential impact in our world.
Ben Kunz
April 14, 2021
I was fortunate to have worked with Ron at the University of Dayton for several years prior to his retirement. Ron was so welcoming and kind to me as a new faculty member in the Department of Psychology. I will always be grateful for Ron's encouragement and support as a colleague, and I will miss his warmth and friendship. My thoughts are with Ron's family and friends.
Glenn Watanabe
April 13, 2021
I was in SF Troop 12 with Ron and he was truly the nicest and most supportive person I've ever met. As an older scout three years my enior, he took this awkward Tenderfoot Scout and patiently moulded me into an able scout and young man.
If I had an older brother, it would have been Ron! Being an upperclassman at GWHS and UCB, I lost track of Ron but heard of his many of accomplishments through his mother Alice, my mother's best friend.
I will never forget Ron's kindness and quick, warm smile!
I hope endearing memories of Ron sustain you.
Kimberly OLeary
April 5, 2021
Ron was a good friend and an inspiration. His commitment to equality, human rights, and care for all human beings was part of everything he did. We will miss him. Kim & Paul
Gerald T Baba
March 30, 2021
You join your parents and brother who now are with the Lord. You did well.
Dr. Roberta B. Boyd
March 29, 2021
Dear Jane,
We are sorry for your loss and offer our sincere condolences to you and your family. May you find comfort and strength from beloved memories and from knowing that others also care.
Sincerely,
Willie and Roberta Boyd
Kristine Minami
March 28, 2021
I knew Ron through his work on the JACL National Board. He was a very kind, thoughtful man, who really worked hard to make the world a better place. And he did exactly that. We are sending our best wishes to his family and holding you all in our thoughts and hearts.
Dr. and Mrs. Tony Lapitan
March 28, 2021
Dr. Ron Katsuyama was a dear friend, a well-respected colleague at the University of Dayton and very active in Asian-American causes in Ohio. We last saw him at the UD Retiree's luncheon in 2019. Sending our love and prayers to dear Jane and their family. May he rest in peace.
Dr. and Mrs. Tony Lapitan
March 28, 2021
Dr. Ron Katsuyama was a dear friend, a colleague at the University of Dayton and we shared so many of the concerns for the Asian American community in Ohio and elsewhere. Our love, prayers and sympathy are with dear Jane and her children and other family. Such a loss for everyone. May he rest in peace.
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