Jonathan S. Nishimura

Dr. Jonathan Sei Nishimura, a longtime biochemistry professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, died July 11 at his Hollywood Park home of complications from cancer. He was 76.

Dr. Nishimura began a career of teaching and research at the Health Science Center in 1969 and was deputy chairman of biochemistry for five years. He was a mentor to many students and colleagues before retiring to his family, fishing, and golf game in 2001.

He was born Sept. 30, 1931 in Berkeley, Calif., to the Rev. Masamoto and Kimiko Nishimura. The family was interned during World War II at the Topaz Relocation Center at Delta, Utah, moved to New York after their release, and then eventually back to the Bay Area, where Dr. Nishimura graduated from Berkeley High School.

Dr. Nishimura was drafted into the U.S. Army and served from 1952-1954, including a tour in South Korea, before earning his honorable discharge as a corporal. He married May Marie Iriki on Sept. 8, 1955 in Berkeley, Calif. He earned a bachelor of arts in science and a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley.

Dr. Nishimura's first teaching job was as assistant biochemistry professor at Tufts University in Boston, where he served from 1958-1969.

At UTHSCSA, Dr. Nishimura served on the doctoral dissertation committees of 37 students. He served on numerous committees, taught in and developed curriculum for the Dental School biochemistry course, and was vice chairman of the Medical School Faculty Assembly. He was funded for years by the National Institutes of Health and Robert A. Welch Foundation.

Dr. Nishimura delighted in his family, travelling with them to France, Japan, China, Hawaii, and Vancouver, and to numerous reunions in California and on the East Coast.

Dr. Nishimura also loved golf and fishing. He and his regular group were well known for teeing off before sunup at the Mission Del Lago golf course in San Antonio. Dr. Nishimura also became a USGA rules official after his retirement.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Kobo Nishimura of Berkeley and Dwight Nishimura of Houston; and sister Rhoda Iyoya of Los Angeles.

Survivors: wife Marie of 53 years, Hollywood Park; daughter Wendy Kiniris and son-in-law Vasilios Kiniris of Oakland, Calif.; son Scott Nishimura and daughter-in-law Julia Wilson of Fort Worth; grandchildren Nick and Eva Kiniris of Oakland, and Seiler Nishimura of Fort Worth; brother Joseph Nishimura and sister-in-law Joyce Nishimura of San Juan Capistrano, Calif.; brother-in-law the Rev. Nicholas Iyoya of Los Angeles; sisters-in-law Marjorie Iriki of Lafayette, Calif., and Ann Wales of Houston; and many nieces, nephews, cousins; colleagues, students, and fishing and golf buddies.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jonathan S. Nishimura Memorial Fund for the support of graduate and postgraduate education; Department of Biochemistry; University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio; 7703 Floyd Curl Drive; San Antonio, Texas; 78229.