Henry Mishima

A pillar of his community, a devoted family man, and a vibrant spirit, Henry (“Hank”) Mishima was born to Katsumi and Sakae Mishima on September 19, 1934, in Troutdale, Oregon. The youngest of four brothers, Hank’s early life was marked by resilience, as his family was relocated to Idaho during World War 2. He went on to graduate as the valedictorian of Sandy High School before continuing his education at the University of Oregon and OHSU (formerly, University of Oregon Dental School).

It was at a local dance that Hank and Eulia Jean Quan's mutual love for dancing sparked a lifelong romance. They married in October 1959 and had three children: Henry, Katherine, and Thomas. Together, they shared a love for travel, enjoying cruises all over the world and creating a lifetime of happy memories.

For 47 years, Hank served the Gresham community as a compassionate dentist, often treating three generations of families. His commitment to caring for others extended to his volunteer work with Medical Teams International (formerly, Northwest Medical Teams), where he provided care to underserved communities. His ability to speak Spanish often brought smiles and giggles to his young patients, a detail that perfectly captured his gentle and kind nature.

After "retiring" at age 72, Hank embraced a new chapter as a fulltime nurseryman on his property in Boring. The farm became the site of a cherished annual 3rd of July celebration, where he gathered family and friends for a festive potluck and fireworks. A true outdoorsman, he found peace and joy fishing in Alaska and Canada and on his boat, the “Nikkei Maru.” off the Oregon and Washington coast. His adventurous spirit also led him to enjoy clamming and matsutake hunting, and he even successfully summited Mount Hood twice in his sixties.

Hank was a man who cherished his family and the time they spent together, from summer evenings dining on the patio to the simple ritual of getting his 10,000 steps in daily. He delighted in the hugs of past patients and old friends he would encounter, a testament to the enduring bonds he forged. His was a life of kind and loving service, and he will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Eulia; his children, Henry and his wife Susan, Katherine and her husband John Abbenhouse, and Thomas. He also leaves behind four grandchildren: Nicholas Mishima and his wife Prapawarin, along with Hank’s great granddaughter, Allison Mishima; Michael Mishima and his life partner Haley Tuttle; Cera Mishima; and Misha Abbenhouse and her husband Dyson Fowler.

A celebration of life will be held at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home on September 6th at 10:00am. If you have a short story about Henry that you would like to share, we encourage you to bring the remembrance.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to either The Japanese American Museum of Oregon or Medical Teams International.