Daniel Shigeru Tanita

Daniel Shigeru Tanita, loving father, brother, uncle, cousin, son, dentist, mentor, hero and so much more to so many, passed away September 17th, 2022 at the age of 74. Though found unresponsive in his sleep, he was rushed to John C. Lincoln Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Daniel was born on April 14th 1948 to his loving parents, mother, Haruko Shigekawa and Father, Shigeru Tanita. His mother, the second of seven children, and his father, the first of thirteen children, left him with an incredibly deep rooted and large spanning family. As third generation Japanese Americans, Daniel was one of six siblings; eldest sister Joanne Saito, Robert Tanita, Margie Tadano, Glenn Tanita, and youngest sister Chrissy Morioka. Son of one of the most prominent families in truck farming in Arizona's West Valley, their family overcame great adversity with uncles, aunts and other family members subjected to the WWII internment of Japanese Americans — despite many members fighting for the U.S. army during this exact time—along with other such prejudices. Despite this, Daniel, nor any family member, ever complained, self-victimized, or let this stop any of their otherwise unbridled success.

For example, Daniel went on to become everything from class president of his high school, captain of the football team, prom king and of course top of his class (as well as much, much more). With his humble, but magnetic, Buddha-like energy his journey only continued to lead to his success as one of the most loved, top rated and highly sought after dentists in California.

Living all over the Bay Area, with almost five decades in Marin County, he said that California was his "happy place"; And with a deeply profound reverence, he often spoke of how his move to "The Bay" altered and changed him, his outlook on the world, and his life for the better, and forever.

Daniel met his first wife, Deborah Jean Tanita, who was the mother of his two children Michiko Haru Tanita, born April 23rd 1981 and Kimiko Haru Tanita, born March 15,1983 and she was his true soulmate. Even after a 30+ year separation, they ended up reconnecting and had just remarried in 2021. Of their two amazing daughters, their first born sadly and unexpectedly passed away in her sleep on Sept 25th of 2020. Shortly after their loss, and not even a year before his own passing, they then unexpectedly lost beloved wife and mother, Deborah to what turned out to be broken heart syndrome on Dec 26th, 2021. His two daughters, Michiko Haru Tanita and Kimiko Haru Tanita, were the loves of his life—as was Kimiko’s partner of many years and fiancé, James Nicol—who was like son to Daniel and Deborah and a brother to Michiko. Daniel was the most devoted, loving and supportive of fathers anyone could ask for--and not only to his own daughters, but to all their closest friends as well--and up until his passing he still referred to them as "just one of the (his) kids".

Preceding all this this was his most cherished time attending The University of the Pacific Dental School in San Francisco where he later went on to be one of their most passionate advocates, sitting on the board, as well as being one of the leading fundraisers for and supporters of the school. After graduating and starting his own dental practice by the age of 25 years old, he went on to volunteer, sit on the boards of and become president of so many foundations and causes, from the YMCA of Contra Costa County to the Rotary Club, and so many more. He always said he owed much of his success to his dear lifelong friend whom he co-owned his office space with, and dental colleague, Dr. William Van Dyke, as well as Best Friend and selfless Humanitarian, Don Lau.

Dr. Daniel S. Tanita’s accomplishments and legacy was manifold as he tirelessly and selflessly spent his life giving back to others; as a dentist with thousands of devoted patients, he turned no one away for lack of funds. For those who could not afford treatment, he would work something out, be it a trade of any kind or always if need be, pro-bono. The backbone of his practice was held together by his office manager, and friend for life, Charisse Le who remains a close part of the Tanita family.

Amongst his many accomplishments, he most famously started a free dental clinic at one of the underserved schools in the East Bay. This clinic that he had to start out of a janitor’s closet went on to be funded by the CA Board of Education, giving him a grant to build a state of the art dental clinic right in the school, making it so children and parents did not have to sacrifice their dental health and hygiene for lack of money or time—and to this day it is the first on site dental program of its kind. The school aptly named the clinic after him, "Dr. Daniel S. Tanita Dental Clinic of Peres Middle School, Richmond CA". Of the countless other awards he received over the years, most of which he felt undeserving as he considered his contributions to be unexceptional, he was, however, most proud of The Jefferson Award, a most prestigious peer nominated acknowledgment akin to a Nobel Prize for unsung heroes.

Another point of pride for Daniel was the cultural exchange program he started with Russian dentists, in which he created a program through the Rotary where he sponsored and housed so many fellow dentists in order to create a much needed bridge and to teach the most updated technologies to those wanting to learn (another first of its kind). As a result Daniel and his daughter Kimiko spent six weeks in 2016 traveling throughout Russia and Siberia visiting many of these amazing and lifelong friends. This was just one of an exceptional number of his travels to dozens of countries; And his innate love of all people and appreciation for all cultures is something he instilled in his children—both of whom went on to travel more than 40+ countries together. Up until his death, all Daniel cared about was family, friends, and the bonds of these relationships, as well as being of service and giving back to others, remaining absolutely selfless and resisting attachments to material objects or things.

In spite of this immense heartbreak, there is a poetic beauty in his return to his homeland after a full lifetime in the Bay Area that he so loved and cherished. He was able to reconnect with his amazing siblings and family and was so happy for the few short, but joy-filled months he spent back in Arizona, before his passing.

Because he was so inexplicably loved, there will be three memorial services held for him:

The first Service will be held Saturday October 1st at 4pm at:

LIGHT AND LIFE CHURCH

15220 N. 39th Ave.,

Phoenix, AZ 85038

(602) 540-9235

Catered reception to follow...

Another service open to the public will be announced in local Obituaries in the Bay Area and on Social Media--so stay tuned...

The Other Service will be held On October 25th in The East Bay, hosted by and held for fellow dentists and this large community (more details to follow).

If you would like more information about this, you can contact his Daughter, Kimiko Tanita, or Charisse Le (contact info below).

The 3rd Service which is welcome to anyone and everyone who would like to attend, will be announced shortly--posted both in local Bay Area newspapers as well as social media—and ALL are encouraged to join—as he was friend, father, uncle, dentist, hero and so much more to the world over.

“Many have asked about contributions and donations, and this is customary in Japanese tradition; Indeed much has been directed to his alma mater, UOP Dental School—but Dr. Tanita would no doubt wish for the love to be spread, especially to those underserved, underrepresented, and less fortunate. Therefore if you’re wanting to follow in his legacy and also give back, please contact the dear Tanita’s Dear Family Friend & Dr. T’s Lifelong Office Manager, Charisse Chin-Le (Kimiko Tanita) for detailed information on how to proceed.

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 510.367.2529

Thank you all,

The Tanitas”

FAVORITE QUOTES:

"If you want to change the world, Go home and Love your family" — Mother Teresa

"My religion is Kindness" — His Holiness Dalai Lama

"Peace begins with a smile" —Mother Teresa

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ChapeloftheChimesMortuary.com for the Tanita family.