Takeshi Udagawa

May 3, 1932 – March 24, 2025

Dr. Takeshi Udagawa, nuclear physicist, devoted educator, and beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully at home on March 24, 2025, at the age of 92.

Born in Tokyo, Japan, to Saheiji Udagawa and Teruko Yamazaki, Takeshi grew up alongside his older brother, Isamu (deceased), his younger sister, Kyoko, and his younger half-brother, Kiyoshi Urayama (deceased). He had two sons with Yukiko Udagawa, who passed away in 1989.

Takeshi is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Mami Udagawa; his sons, Yoichi Udagawa and his wife Alice Pertchik-Udagawa, and Taturo Udagawa and his wife Sandra Smole; and his cherished granddaughters, Mia and Jenah Udagawa.

Takeshi earned his B.S. from Tokyo Rika Daigaku (Science University) in 1957 and his Ph.D. from Tokyo Education University in 1962. He began his career at Tokyo Institute of Technology before traveling to the United States in 1964 to collaborate with Professor Ray Sheline at Florida State University, a connection facilitated by Professor Taro Tamura. His research also took him to the Niels Bohr Institute in Denmark before he joined the faculty at Kyoto University. In 1970, he moved to the United States, where he became a professor of nuclear physics at the University of Texas at Austin, continuing his long-term collaboration with Professor Tamura until Tamura’s passing in 1988.

Takeshi’s research and international collaboration spanned a broad range of nuclear physics topics, included studying the collective properties of spherical and deformed nuclei and investigating almost every facet of light-ion and heavy-ion reactions, such as, elastic and inelastic scattering, transfer reactions, and deep inelastic scattering. He extended the direct reaction theory to breakup and fusion and developed a method of performing continuum random phase approximation, applying it to a variety of nuclear excitations in a wide range of energies from low to medium energies.

In recognition of his contributions to fostering academic and cultural relations between the United States and Japan, Dr. Udagawa was awarded The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon on December 2, 2009, an honor bestowed by the Emperor of Japan.

After retirement, Takeshi remained dedicated to education, serving as the volunteer principal of the Japanese School in Austin, where he worked closely with faculty and students. This role brought him immense joy and fulfillment, reflecting his lifelong passion for learning and mentorship.

The Udagawa family extends their heartfelt gratitude to their dear friends, neighbors, and the compassionate health professionals who cared for Takeshi in his final days, including the dedicated staff at Dell Seton Hospital, St. David's Hospice and his devoted physician and wife, Dr. John and Kim Bangston.

A Memorial Gathering will be held at Weed Corley Fish in North Austin on Saturday, April 19th to celebrate Takeshi’s remarkable life and legacy. Friends, family, and colleagues are invited to visit any time between 2pm and 5pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity or institution of your choice in his memory.

Takeshi Udagawa will be deeply missed but forever remembered for his kindness, intellect, and unwavering dedication to his family, students, and the pursuit of knowledge.