Yutaka Takahashi

Yutaka Takahashi

April 18, 1940 – September 17, 2026

Patient in spirit, kind at heart, curious in mind, and generous with his wisdom. His warmth will remain with us always.

Yutaka Takahashi passed away in his sleep at the age of 86, shortly after his cancer diagnosis, surrounded by the love of his family and friends.

He was born in Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture in Japan, where he grew up until leaving for college in Tokyo. He studied law, worked jobs to fund his education and was a member of the ski team. After graduating, he joined Amada, where he would devote his entire professional career in various roles until his retirement at age 65. There he also met his wife, Kimiko.

His career with Amada took him around the world with his curiosity for learning foreign languages and ultimately brought his family to the US in 1979, when he was transferred to the Los Angeles office on an assignment as a general manager. While he was subsequently repatriated back to Japan, he made his home in the U.S upon retirement, where he lived for the remainder of his life.

He was an avid skier, golfer and a reader. He also loved technology and approached the world with a deeply curious and creative mind. He enjoyed inventing and creating gadgets—always thinking how an everyday problem might be solved in a new way.

He will be remembered for his character: patient, kind, warm, and endlessly curious. He possessed a quiet wisdom and a genuine interest in the world and in the people around him. His warmth touched those who knew him, and his love for his family, close or far, was at the heart of his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Tokiji and Hana Takahashi, his older brothers, Makoto and Akira Takahashi, and his son’s life partner Leslie Heine.

He is survived by his beloved wife of ~60 years, Kimiko; his son, Kengo, daughter, Saori, his son-in-law, Andrew Casey and his grandson, Dean Casey, in the US. He is also survived by his extended family in Japan, as well as friends whose lives he touched over the years.

His legacy will live on in the people who loved him and in the values he passed on to the generations that follow.

The family is deeply grateful for the love, kindness, and support extended to them during this time.

A celebration of his life will be held:

October 17, 2026 | 12-2pm

Alta Vista Country Club

777 Alta Vista St. Placentia, CA , 92870

Family and friends are invited to a private intimate gathering to remember and celebrate his life and enjoy the showcasing table of his invention gadgets.

In Lieu of Flowers or Gifts

The family welcomes memorial donations to the American Cancer Society at https://www.cancer.org.