Kohei Sumihara

Kohei Sumihara, a resident of Columbia, Maryland, died on Saturday, July 2, 2022, of gastric cancer. He was the loving husband of Rae Catherine Sumihara and devoted father of two sons, Kenzo Levi Sumihara (age 11) and Taizo Henry Sumihara (age 8), and adoptive son Bawi Lian Uk (age 28, married to Sui Cluai).

He was born in Kobe, Hyogo Province, Japan, the son of Haruo (father, deceased) and Junko (mother) Sumihara. He grew up in the Tenrikyo religious community—the son and descendent of a long line of ministers and Tenrikyo leaders—and continued to practice his faith with great devotion throughout his life. The Tenrikyo faith is based on living a life of generosity, gratitude, and joy—all qualities that Kohei exemplified to all who knew him.

He met and married Rae while she resided in Japan as an English teacher, and together they moved to Maryland in 2004. Kohei continued his education and entered a profession he loved as a cardiovascular technologist, first at George Washington University Hospital and, for the past 12 years, at the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

Kohei was loved and admired by a host of extended family members, colleagues, members of the Tenrikyo community, neighbors and friends, as revealed in comments posted on the CaringBridge website (https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/koheisumihara).

In addition to his wife, sons, and mother, he is survived by his brother, Yohei Sumihara; sisters, Chitose Sumihara and Nunome Matsumoto; grandson, Vanbawi Uk; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to “Kohei’s Cardiology Fund” at the National Children’s Medical Center. (https://childrensnational.org/giving)

A Receiving of Friends / Visitation for Kohei will be held Sunday, July 17, 2022 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the Gary L. Kaufman Funeral Home at Meadowridge Memorial Park, 7250 Washington Blvd., Elkridge, MD 21076. The Family will have a Private Memorial Service at 11:30 AM which will be Live-Streamed, see below- under "Services".

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.garylkaufmanfuneralhome.com for the Sumihara family.