Samuel Sachio Katagi

Samuel was a remarkable individual from birth. Weighing only 2 pounds and 11 ounces, he was born at a time when it was a miracle that he grew into a healthy boy despite his size. In high school, he was honored with a king-sized Sportsman of the Year trophy, specially created to recognize his achievements. He was always a cheerful boy, encouraging his teammates and never worrying about himself.

Samuel graduated with a B.S. in Biology from UC Irvine and a Master of Sciences in Electrical Engineering from USC. His career quickly took off at Hughes Aircraft, where he worked as a system engineer in their space program. He was known for challenging assumptions and ensuring the reliability of a space satellite through system test engineering procedures.

Samuel also was a passionate chess player and an active member of multiple chess clubs across LA County. He participated in and won numerous chess tournaments, including winning First Category Title in 2016.

A devout follower of Jesus Christ, Samuel's faith was never shaken. His devotion was a source of strength and admiration even in the most challenging times. Samuel also had a great appreciation for God’s creations and enjoyed venturing out into nature.

Samuel is survived by his daughter Hannah, ex-spouse Wendy, brother Ted, and mother Setsuko. We will all miss Samuel greatly for the man that he was, and we feel blessed for the time we had with him.

Please join us to celebrate Samuel Katagi’s life on February 10th, 2024 at 2:30 pm at Adat Yeshua Congregation: 7475 Fallbrook Ave, West Hills, CA 91307. Those who would like to share pictures or special memories for Samuel's memorial service, please email his daughter Hannah Katagi at [email protected].

The place of rest will be in Hiroshima, Japan.