May the Light of the Candle
Guide our Fallen Warriors
to their Final Resting Place,
and Bring Peace to All of Us.

IN MEMORY OF THE

YAMATO WARRIOR

WHO IS NO LONGER WITH US.

RONALD EIJI FURUKAWA
CLASS OF 1967

Ronald Eiji Furukawa was born April 4, 1949 in Tokyo, Japan. He lived and practiced optometry in Fairfield for 25 years. He passed away on Friday, Sept. 26, 2003. Ron was a graduate and assistant clinical professor of the U.C. Berkeley School of Optometry. He was an accomplished photographer, cook and scuba diver. He is loved and will be missed by his children, Erin and Eric Furukawa; his mother, Eiko Ogawa Furukawa; his sister, brother-in-law and niece, Kris, Dave and Keani DiBerardino; and Sheila Flynn Furukawa, his wife of 24 year

Name: Vonnie (Hoops) Beattie
Year of Graduation: 1960
Comments: Yesterday was one of those days for me....I couldn’t seem to get in gear! I usually get to the gym by 9:00 AM at the latest, but on this particular morning it was almost noon. I have been going to this gym since July, and nothing strange has happened to me....that is....until yesterday! I can’t even repeat what happened....but if there is anyone strange in the gym....you can bet they will gravitate toward me!!!!!

When I returned home, I went into the Yamato Alumni website, and saw the posting about Ron Furukawa ’67....& my heart just dropped....as I fought back the tears. I didn't know Ron well, but exchanged several e-mails with him, when he agreed to take photos for the 2001 reunion. He was so open and talked about his life, his family, his hobbies, and his dreams for the future....such a nice man. At the last reunion, we were all on the dance floor, when I looked up and saw Ron dancing away....and when our eyes met, he gave me a wonderful smile. It was obvious he was having a good time.

After Ron graduated from YHS in 1967, he attended the University of California at Berkeley with a BS in engineering in 1972. He found that he was not happy working as an electrical engineer in the aerospace industry, so he retuned to Berkeley, and earned a BS in optometry in 1974. He must have found his niche, because he opened up a private practice in Fairfield, California (home of Travis AFB)....where he was still working full-time. Ron also taught once a week at the UC School of Optometry, as an assistant clinical professor, from 1976 to 1993. Sadly, Ron has two children a daughter, Erin, age 22, and a son, Eric, age 19.
Ron shared with me the struggles one faces living ....often times making me laugh.

While at Yamato, Ron was head photographer for the year book and the school newspaper. He remained active in photography....which included underwater photography. When time allows....Dan Iki, our new Webmaster.....will be putting on our Yamato Alumni website.....the class photos that Ron took at our 2001 reunion. Ron loved camping, hiking and upland bird hunting. His newest passion was scuba diving, and had over 150 ocean dives from Cozumel, Mexico to the Fiji Islands. Ron also tinkered with his hotrod 5.0 liter Mustang convertible. Ron’s sense of humor shows through.....in his own words, “I love to take it for a spin on some of the local mountain roads to sneak up on unsuspecting BMW drivers.”

I was most impressed with the many interests Ron had, and his wonderful sense of humor. Ron laughed, when I told him. “You are quite a catch & I will let you know if I find someone who is deserving of you!" Ron had many plans for the future, and held his Yamato memories close to his heart....and his Yamato family will never forget him.

Ron filled out a memory sheet for me, and sent me very nice photo of himself. I will post it on the “Yamatoites Live On” website, if anyone is interested. I will continue taking memory sheets and updates through Monday, October 6th.....to give the stragglers a little more time. As with life....each memory sheet reveals our happy times and also our sad times....which is why I know....this memory booklet will hold a very special meaning....to all Yamatoites....now & forever.....

Name: Susan (Jackson) Hulse
Year of Graduation: 1966
Comments: It is with great sadness that I let you know my friend and fellow Yamato High School graduate, Ron Furukawa, class of 1967, died last Friday. Ron had been living in Fairfield, CA, the last 25 years and had a thriving optometry practice. He still loved photography (begun at Yamato) and took the opportunity to photograph scenery on land and underwater on his scuba diving trips. He always said he was a frustrated National Geographic photographer. And, he hadn't given up the theater (he played the King in Yamato's production of The King and I) with a small part in the movie displayed at Disneyland's California exhibit about the history of the state's settlement. Ron will be missed by all his many friends.

Name: Fred Price
Year of Graduation: 1968
Comments: Here is the link to Ron Furukawa's Obituary in the Fairfield California news paper. You will see that you can sign the "Guest Book" on line. I'm sure his family would appreciate seeing some of his fellow Warriors pay tribute to their lost love one. He was a great Warrior and will be missed by the entire Warrior family.

http://legacy.com/dailyrepublic/LegacySubPage2.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=1439820

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