Kazuhiko Nakamura

Kazuhiko Nakamura was born the oldest of three sons in Asahikawa, Japan, to Nobuhiko and Fumiko Nakamura. Nobuhiko, a country doctor, passed away when Kazuhiko was only fourteen years old, forcing him to grow up quickly.

Kazuhiko graduated from Tokai University with a degree in Electrical Engineering, and came to Cleveland, Ohio in 1968 to work for the Tenna corporation, repairing 8 track cassette players for car stereo systems. It was at a Japanese food bazaar that he met the love of his life, Jeannie. They married in 1971, and spent the next forty nine years creating a beautiful family, raising three children in Massachusetts and then in California, where they would eventually settle.

“Kaz” as he was known to his coworkers, was a loyal employee at Tokyo Electron (TEL) for over forty seven years. First, as an electrical engineer in the company’s founding days and eventually as Executive VP at TEL AMERICA and Consultant. He was a beloved mentor and friend to so many in the company.

He enjoyed playing golf, Japanese television, and loved supporting his favorite local restaurants. He could be seen walking around the neighborhood, getting his daily ten thousand steps. In 2010, after seven years of dialysis, Kazuhiko was blessed with a successful kidney transplant at UCSF. He was extremely grateful for the extra years he was gifted.

He is survived by his wife, Jeannie, his three children, Takeshi, Aya, and Naomi, and three grandchildren, Ayami, Kaito and Ami. He is missed tremendously.

Due to Covid-19, no funeral service is scheduled. The family requests to not send flowers. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Kazuhiko Nakamura may be made to the UCSF Foundation to support their Kidney Transplant Program, UCSF Foundation, PO Box 45339, San Francisco, CA 94145-0339 or online: http://makeagift.ucsf.edu/transplant (select ‘Kidney Transplant Service’)