Takeshi Yoshida

Tak was born on September 5, 1939 in Botan Manchuria “Manshū-koku”, then a Japanese state. He was the first son of Reisaku and Sumie Yoshida. Tak graduated as one of the top students in his class from Aishi College of Dental Technology in 1961. A year later, at age 22, Tak married Toyoe “Toyo” Higuchi. He founded a dental lab in Yokohama the subsequent year.

From a young age, Tak was very driven, but also had a pioneering spirit. He wanted to hone his technician skills further and dreamt of going to America. In 1969 he took a bold leap and boarded the President Wilson cruise liner to the United States with his family of now four. Upon reaching San Francisco, they took the Greyhound Bus to Chicago where Tak worked as a ceramist at Steiner Dental Lab. The family moved to Los Angeles in 1971 and Tak started his second dental lab in hopes to bridge US-Japan dental technology relations.

In 1973, Tak returned to his dental lab in Yokohama and opened another lab in Guam. He also taught post-graduate students and dentists in Tokyo what he learned in America. Nevertheless, Tak’s yearning to be back in the United States never abated.

In 1976 he immigrated his family to Portland for good. Initially Tak worked part-time at OHSU School of Dentistry. He established the new Shikosha Dental Lab which initially started by leasing a third of the current building. Now the dental business encompasses the entire building as well as the adjacent lot with close to 60 employees. During his lifetime, Tak founded dental labs also in Honolulu and Bellevue, WA.

About 20 years ago, Tak purchased a cabin in Home Valley, WA. His weekend retreat became a major part of Tak’s joy out-side of work, where he grew wasabi, planted cherry blossom trees, and even raised Wagyu cattle, all the while being surrounded by the beauty of Columbia Gorge.

In 2001, at age 62, Tak was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He fought against his illness by exercising daily and never thought of retiring. Tak inspired his employees by continuing to go to work until he was hospitalized in early February 2016. After 10 days, Tak opted to spend time at home with family. On February 27th, Tak listened to live harp music and singing. He enjoyed a hot spring towel and foot bath. After the SPA, Tak was so happy and content that he fell into deep sleep. He peacefully passed away at 6:35pm on Sunday, February 28, 2016 at age 76 surrounded by his family.

Visitation will begin at 1pm on Sunday, March 6, 2016 followed by a funeral service at 2pm, both at Skyline Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial donations be made to the "Tak Yoshida/Shikosha Memorial Fund" at the OHSU Foundation, 1121 SW Salmon Street #100, Portland, OR 97205. The funds in memory of Tak will be used to support of the OHSU School of Dentistry. Donations can be made by check to the foundation or via the following methods:

On-line: www.ohsufoundation.org (In MakeAGift, please choose **Can't find the fund you're interested in supporting? Click to write it in below.** and enter "Tak Yoshida Memorial Fund".)

Phone: (503) 228-1730

Toll Free: (800) 462-6608

If preferred, flowers may be sent to Skyline Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.

Thank You,

Yoshida Family

Arrangements under the direction of Skyline Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, Portland, OR.