Frank Yatsu

Frank Michio Yatsu, aged 79, died peacefully in his home on Friday, March 9, 2012 in Houston, Texas. He is survived by his wife, Michiko, of 56 years, and their daughter, Carolyn “Libby” Elizabeth Hsu and her husband, Benjamin Hsu; their grandchildren, Katie and Sophia Hsu. His older brother, Lawrence Yatsu of New Orleans, Louisiana, also survives Frank.

Frank was born on November 28, 1932 in Los Angeles, California to Frank K. and Iwao Yatsu. He was the youngest of four children. Then in the mid 1940s, his family moved to Cleveland, Ohio after the internment camps of World War II were disbanded. Frank’s biggest break happened as a Boy Scout in Cleveland, Ohio. He received a full scholarship to the prestigious boarding school, Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. There at Andover, he quickly became popular with his gregarious sense of humor and his wit. He was even referred to as the “walking dictionary.” While he was there, he was elected President of the Student Council. He was also active in sports and was on the Varsity Wrestling team. After graduating in 1951, Frank, because of his wrestling talents, was granted a full four-year scholarship to Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. In his freshman year, he was awarded a championship trophy from the New England AAU. He graduated in 1955 with a major in English.

That same year Frank and Michiko Yamane from Cleveland, Ohio were married on September 10, 1955. He also started medical school at Case-Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio that fall. He graduated in 1959 and took a year of residency in Internal Medicine at University Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. This step led to a two-year residency in Neurology at The Neurological Institute of New York (Columbia University). From 1965-1967, Frank was a Lieutenant Commander (Neurologist) for the United States Navy in Great Lakes, Illinois.

After serving for the United States Navy, Frank’s career as a Neurologist began flourishing. From 1967-1971 he was an Assistant Professor in the department of Neurology at the University of California Medical Center. In addition, from 1969-1973 he was the Chief of Neurology Service at the San Francisco General Hospital. In 1975 he was promoted to Chairman of Neurology at University of Oregon Health Sciences Center in Portland, Oregon. Frank was especially interested in stroke which continued throughout his entire career.

During those years in San Francisco, Frank and Michiko welcomed their daughter, Carolyn “Libby” Elizabeth, in December 1971.

From 1969-1974, Frank was appointed as a Trustee of Brown University, the first Asian American in the history of the university.

In 1982 the family moved to Houston, Texas where Frank was appointed Professor and Chairman of Neurology at University of Texas Health Science Center. He also had the opportunity to have two sabbaticals abroad in Oxford, England and Lausanne, Switzerland during his tenure. He was very active in stroke research and awareness as Chairman and following as Chairman Emeritus. Frank became Director of the World Health Organization and Treasurer of the World Stroke Organization from 2001-2004. Up until his untimely passing, he continued to be involved in patient care, colleague mentoring and international conferences.

This past September marked the fifth annual Frank Yatsu Day at University of Texas Health Science Center. On this day, the Neurology Department organizes a symposium on stroke related topics opened to the UT Medical School faculty and staff. The Yatsu family and the entire Neurology Department at UT hope this tradition continues.

On a personal note, Frank was a supportive and loving husband, dad and grandfather. He had a love of learning, and he read multiple books at a time, not to mention his favorite newspaper, The New York Times. He was also the best emailer I know. As his daughter, I speak for many when I say that he was very good at keeping in touch. Relationships were very important to him, and he showed that through phone calling, emailing and dining out with friends. Frank loved all forms of the Arts, from symphony and opera performances to museum visits both locally and abroad. He could spout off interesting, likely unknown, facts about art, math, science or whatever and then in the next moment talk about his latest and most interesting travels or conferences he attended. His week would not be complete without dining out with Mich and having dim sum. Houston has their fair share of good restaurants, but Frank would vouch that Yank Sing in San Francisco is the best. He will be greatly missed. He has touched so many lives – both medically and socially – and will be forever remembered for his love and care of others and for the remarkable life he lived.

In lieu of flowers, there are two funds set up in honor of Frank M. Yatsu. They both represent Frank’s passion for education and medicine. If friends and family would like to donate, checks can be made payable to:

1). “Trustees of Phillips Academy for the Frank M. Yatsu Scholarship Fund”

Phillips Academy

180 Main Street

Andover, MA 01810

2). “Annual Frank Yatsu Day Symposium Endowment”

c/o the Department of Neurology

University of Texas Medical School

6431 Fannin Street, Suite 7.044

Houston, Texas 77030