An esteemed colleague. My goto pharmacist for cardiology questions

I remember working with Kelly during my ten year at Stanford. Kelly told everyone I was the fastest guy in junior high. It kinda embarrassed me, but made me laugh so much. I grew up with Kelly in San Martin. It was nice to see  a familiar face in such a big hospital.  I just want to pray for all his family. God placed Kelly in a position to help many. God Bless my friend.

Thank you for all the great memories during our 
high school years at Live Oak. 
You were such a kind person, with a bright smile and a
lending hand, whenever needed.

We will treasure all the special times we shared together. 
Soar with the angels Kelly and may you Rest In Peace.

Forever in our Hearts,

Thelma Marie Zuniga & Diane Castro Sedlak
LOHS Class of 1975 

We extend our deepest sympathy  & prayers to Kelly’s Family. 
May it provide comfort during this difficult time, to know how 
many lives Kelly touched during his formative years.  
We were fortunate to have shared friendship with him and were
blessed by his beautiful tender soul and compassion.

I will miss Kelly. His smile would light up a room and he spoke with his heart. Will miss you Kelly.

I am very sorry for your loss and am sending positive energy to the family. Kelly was always very nice to me. I remember when my wife was seriously ill and Kelly took the time to listen to me and offered advice, suggestions, and space to just be.  I also remember the times we would just sit in the stands during the taekwondo competitions and just watch taekwondo sparring matches with him. He loved watching the sport, commenting on all aspects of sparring, and also breaking down the politics of how the sport is run (both good and bad). But what I loved most was when we talked about our kids and I can see his passion and excitement whenever Evan or Lauren competed. He will be missed.

I met Kelly when I started as a new grad nurse about 5 years ago on B2/J7. Although I’ve only known him for a short time (compared to the rest of my colleagues), the impact he made is unforgettable. When I first started as a new grad, Kelly reiterated that I could always call him whenever I had questions. Little did he know I’d continue calling him for many years after that — even if he wasn’t assigned to my patients! And yet he always answered my calls/questions with such kindness and patience. He was the best. I’m so blessed to have worked with him ❤️

I met Kelly 25 years ago when I started on D1 CCU/CSU.  He has always been my go-to pharmacist.  It was him and Manya always on D1.  We couldn't do it without them!! When a patient was deteriorating and we needed medications, Kelly would always be available and come to the rescue.  I remember running to the satellite pharmacy near D1 and saying we need you, and he would always be there.  When we started administering flolan to our PH patients, he was so astute and took time to remind everyone there were different concentrations to different patients.  He would help us double check the rate and dose and make sure our patients were safe.  
I felt so honored to go to your wedding Anita.  And when Lauren & Evan came along, he was so proud and so happy.
He shared a video of Lauren giving a speech a couple years ago and said, "I don't know where she gets it from."  
I was so excited when my unit on B2/J7 took over heart failure population so I could work with him again.  It was a pleasure to tell the newer staff that didn't know him how much they would learn from him!  
We were talking recently about who would retire first.
I'm so sorry for your loss.  There are no words I can say to make it better.  Please know he was so loved and respected!

Kelly was a supportive mentor and preceptor and encouraged me to grow and learn as a pharmacy resident and staff pharmacist.  He was always eager to teach and his expertise in cardiology was a great resource.  The rapport he developed with the medical team and nursing staff is something every pharmacist should strive to achieve.   Some of my favorite memories of Kelly  happened on evening shifts in the D1 satellite when I would go to visit him on my dinner breaks to say hi and learn more about cardiology.  He would also talk about his favorite restaurants including stories about his marriage proposal at Gary Danko.   

What a pleasure it was to meet Kelly and have the opportunity to work with him during the years that I was at Stanford.  His irrepressible smile and jovial attitude that he offered to his friends co-workers, nursing and medical staff...and especially to his patients is a reminder that you can love your work and set a standard for others to follow.  Kelly was one of the first to greet and welcome me to Stanford, and one of the last to say farewell.  It saddens me to no end to have to say my own good-byes to one of the most talented pharmacists I have ever met.  Rest in peace, Kelly.  You will be so missed by everyone you have touched through your kindness, empathy, and passion for excellence in patient care.

My deepest condolences to the Matsuda family.   Kelly was an incredible pharmacist and mentor to many, including myself.   I'll never forget Kelly's infectious smile and laugh.  Thank you, Kelly, for all of the clinical pearls, and wise words of wisdom.  Rest in paradise, Kelly, you will be dearly missed.

Kelly was an amazing professional. I met him as an intern and he was just a great person and a kind and compassionate man. So many patients and trainees and nurses lived longer and better with his help. It is a tremendously sad loss but he has set the standard for me for clinical pharmacists. 

I will never forget this wonderful, big-hearted, self-deprecating, humble, compassionate, brilliant man. I have so many memories, so many laughs. I loved hearing about his kids and how much he loved them. I loved hearing about his vacations. I loved his story about when he was learning to fly. I just loved hearing him laugh. For years, in the most acute of medical emergencies, it was Kelly who was there reading our minds handing us the life saving medications we needed for the patient in front of us. He saved so many lives that way. I would have wished for no one else by my side in those stressful moments and I know my colleagues feel the same. He was such a great mentor and friend. He taught so many pharmacists, nurses, and doctors so much. We feel the pain of his loss acutely but it is nothing to pain that I know his close family bears.  Our love and thoughts are with you all. ❤️‍🩹

To the family of the late Kelly Yoshimi Matsuda,

No words can completely alleviate your grief, pain and sorrow, and I am so very sorry for the loss of such a wonderful, caring and giving individual.

I met Kelly while working on an inpatient stepdown unit at Stanford Health Care back in 1995.  He was always so helpful and so smart!  He had a very calming demeanor about him, and would always be willing to help any staff member or patient if and when he could.  

There is one patient experience I have never forgotten, and that was when he volunteered to come to Stanford campus on his day off to meet the husband of a patient to help sort out a very complicated prescription issue that could not wait.  This was Kelly.  So kind-hearted and willing to help.  I have never forgotten that, and will not forget Kelly's never-ending generosity, compassion and his wonderful smile.  

I am so sorry for your loss.  We all grieve with you, and also smile in remembering the happy things with you, too.  May he rest in peace... 
~Kelly, A hui' hou
With deepest sincerity and sympathy, 
Marcia Glassford 

I’ve worked with Kelly for over 20 years , I will never forget his signature smile and laugh . He was so highly regarded  and knowledgeable in his field but more importantly he cared so much for patients and goes the extra mile to help. He’s dearly missed by so many both professionally and personally . 

Deepest condolences and blessings to the Matsuda family , I can’t imagine what you are going through .  May he rest in peace. 

Dear Anita,

My deepest sympathies to you and your family during this difficult time. Sending love your way.

-Carter

Sending my deepest condolences to the Matsuda family.   Kelly was a delight to work with and I was always looking forward to seeing him in rounds.  He was my go-to person for anything cardiology related. The Stanford pharmacy department will never be the same without him.  Kelly, you will be missed dearly.  Rest in peace, my friend.  


I have known Kelly for over 25 years and I remember the conversation we had when he told me of his diagnosis . I was sad then, and now.   Kelly is an  admirable person, knowledgeable and dedicated.  He has a huge and irreplaceable  character. 
He will forever be missed and be remembered by his Stanford Family. 
My deepest condolences to his entire family .  Take good care of each other as this is what Kelly would want.  
Rest in peace and God bless you Kelly. 


Anita, my heartfelt condolences to you and your family.  Sending you all love during this difficult time.  May the many memories of time together as a family bring you comfort.

I have started writing this so many times.  
As I struggle to get my head around Kelly's passing, I see in my minds eye his jovial smile & hear his heart warming laugh.
Kelly & I overlapped in pharmacy school as he completed his post BS PharmD. 
When Kelly interviewed at Stanford a few years later, I was pleased to see his familiar smiling face, show him around the department and be a part of his interview team. 
Kelly has left a professional legacy as an outstanding & exceedingly skilled colleague, an excellent teacher and a kind and compassionate human being who was always willing to help. 
Rest in eternal peace my friend, you will be dearly missed.
My most sincere & heartfelt condolences to the Matsuda Family.



My deepest condolences goes out to Kelly’s family and my Stanford pharmacy’s family. My heart was filled with sorrow when I heard the news. I have known him for 19 years when we worked in D1 satellite, ICU, and BMT together. I have a lot of great memories of him. He was such a great and wise person . We shared a lot of memories about our families and children. He was a very knowledgeable person and I learned so much from him. I have fond many memories of him. One of the  memory was to find him in D1 rounding every morning to check my medication. I can’t believe that you are gone. 
Rest in peace my friend. I will miss you and I am very sorry I wasn’t able to say goodbye to you when I moved. :( 

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. ...
“Thinking of you, wishing you hope in the midst of sorrow, comfort in the midst of pain.”
“The loss of Kelly is felt by many.
I work with Kelly since 1998. we share so much good memories. His kindness smile and kink words  never go way from my memory.
KELLY I DON'T SAY GOOD BY ,I'LL SAY    (WE S HALL MEET AGAIN! )


Deepest condolences to the family. We love you Anita and prayers are with you and the kids. Kelly will rest in peace. 

We are all here for you❤️

Judy 

Such a huge loss of a wonderful person. Kelly will forever be remembered as a great mentor, colleague, and a friend, who always managed to share his positivity and a contagious smile with anyone who was in his presence. Kelly was kind, compassionate, and caring human being. 
Kelly was the only person I knew when I started at Stanford many years ago. The moment I saw him smiling when we met on D1 during my orientation, I immediately felt at ease. Since that day, he remained a great friend and a mentor, who always had my back and continued to support and encourage to reach for the new heights. We shared many interesting conversations and laughs. His lighthearted and kind nature and a positive energy lit up every room (even during the intense morning team rounds). Kelly will forever be remembered for his good heart first and foremost. 
You are greatly missed, my friend! 
My most sincere condolences to the Matsuda Family!

Kelly was such a special person - a wonderful collaborator & friend who would always leave you with a smile on your face. My sincere sympathies to his family & to everyone whose lives he touched - D1/J4 are not the same without him. 

Dear Anita, Lauren, and Evan
Accept my sympathy on your loss. 
I worked with Kelly in cardiology for many years at Stanford both on the in-hospital units and in the clinics. He was a dynamite pharmacist, attended rounds every morning, and addressing all the questions about the correct medications for patients with detailed explanations. He had a delightful laugh and great sense of humor. I remember him fondly. 
Accept my sympathy, 
Joan Mersch

Sincere condolences to the Matsuda Family on the loss of your beloved Kelly. I am grateful to have interacted with him, he was both a fantastic preceptor and a kind and knowledgeable colleague. May he Rest in Peace. 

I've know Kelly for over 15 years when we became friends back in D1. He's a person who's easy to talk with, kind, and very knowledgeable. Our conversations varied, from our kids, schools/colleges, extracurricular expenses, real estate, finances, to even politics, religion, and covid. Although Kelly and I had differing opinions at times, we always had respectful debates, which we occasionally joked about while passing the hallways. I miss our talks Kelly. I wish I had a chance to thank you for being a true friend. May God watch over you and may He bring consolation and peace to your family. 

I’ve known Kelly since the D1 days. Condolence to the matsuda family. I remember Kelly as a hardworking and passionate coworker. He is patient and kind — always willing to help. I am truly saddened by this. 

Kelly has always been a great mentor and colleague.  He has touched so many lives here at SHC including mine.  He's always been willing to lend a hand, and his expertise in cardiology is second to none.  Kelly you are truly missed.  Rest in Peace.  - Noah

To the family of Kelly Matsuda:

Sending my heartfelt words of  condolence and prayers to support you during this difficult time. I actually got to work with Kelly a little bit as a bone marrow transplant nurse and then more  when I transferred to work in the cardiac unit. He supported the patients, families, nurses and the entire interdisciplinary team 200%. It is such a big for all of us at Stanford for whom Kelly was such an exemplary pharmacist, colleague, and friend.

My dearest Kelly-You will always be one of my favorite human being.I will miss you-Rest and be at peace buddy.
To his family:My deepest condolences. I wish you peace and comfort as you grieve.



Our deepest condolences to the Matsuda family during this difficult time. You will be missed here by colleagues and patients. Thank you for all your awesome work the past 30 years!  -Central Pharmacy

We send our deepest condolences to the Matsuda family during this difficult time. Kelly was always a friend and helpful co-worker.  I will always remember his smile, his jovial nature, and can-do spirit.  He was pivotal in supporting the PH team in getting various therapies available at Stanford hospital.  He was always available to us, and never hesitated to help.  His kindness and graciousness will always remain as an indelible memory in my mind.  We will miss you, Kelly.

Kelly,

You were a remarkable person and a consummate professional.  I truly enjoyed our interactions in the hospital and appreciated everything you did to help us care for our patients.  I will miss your smile, optimism, and incredible vitality.  My thoughts go to your family and loved ones.

As a great colleague and friend as well as a wonderful Dad, you will be sorely missed. You touched many lives with your intelligence, caring and humor. Goodbye, old friend. May you rest in peace.



Kelly will be so dearly missed. He was always full of joy and light, such a great guy and coworker. Kelly shared so much knowledge with me over the years about pharmacology. My prayers and love go out to his family, he spoke often of you all, and loved you so dearly. 

Kindly, 
Laura DeBenning, E1 RN

Kelly, you will always be in my thoughts, my friend. So many years, so many fond memories together on D1, OR, NICU, BMT, weddings, memorials, cardiology parties etc.. You always valued friendship and included all your friends in your good times. Rest in Peace Kelly. You were a great person and will live in our heart forever. 
My deepest condolences to Anita, Lauren and Evan and Matsuda family.

I am devastated in hearing about Kelly’s passing. God took him too quickly and must have had a need for his kind heart in heaven!  I was blessed to have him as a Friend and Brother.  I was humbled to have been asked to be a part of his wedding to his lovely Anita, which does not feel like so long ago.  I know he inspired his amazing children and I know they were proud of their Father too as he was so proud of both of them.   I will miss him very much. RIP my Friend!!  


Kelly was a great colleague and friend who always brightened up my day with his humor. I worked with Kelly as a part of the ICU team upon joining Stanford, helping precept his learners and cover the cardiology service. Kelly taught me so many things off the fly and was so approachable. He was well respected by not only his pharmacy colleagues, but other members of the healthcare team as well.

My deepest condolences to the Matsuda family; may you find strength and comfort during this time. Kelly will be dearly missed - may his soul rest in peace <3

I first met Kelly as a pharmacy student getting a tour of the satellites during the rotation. I still remember how friendly and welcoming Kelly was as we stopped by D1 satellite. As a resident, I had the opportunity to take his rotation and learned from his expertise. His passion for Cardiology and desire to teach made the rotation very enjoyable. My coresidents and I loved Kelly and his rotation, we unanimously voted Kelly as the preceptor of the year.  Even after residency, Kelly remains my go-to person for any Cardiology related questions. It’s been such a great honor to have worked with him closely for the past few years. I’m very grateful for his mentorship and guidance, and heart failure and pharmacy teams will not be the same without Kelly. We’ll miss you dearly and may you rest in peace Kelly!

Dear Anita, 

I am so sorry for your loss. Keeping you and your entire family in my thoughts. May God grant you the strength in this very challenging time.  May his soul rest in eternal peace. 

Dear Anita,

My deep sympathies and condolences to you and your family at this very challenging time. I wish you strength and I hope you can find some solace in all the memories of your time together.

Vijay

Knew of Kelly at work for 5 years but then truly got to know him when I got the opportunity to work with him in the D1 pharmacy for 3 years.  He is the kind of person that seemed intimidating at first but if you showed him that you knew what you were doing he was the greatest person to work for.  I appreciate all his insight about family, work, the at the time up n coming EV car world.  He will truly be missed, especially that huge smile and I loved being around the "friendly" discussions between my fellow tech Tim and him.  No holdbacks, no censors! :)   See ya down the road Kelly!  You will be missed so much!  Prayers to your family too.  


Our deepest sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. 

Kelly, you will be truly missed.

Dear Anita, 
My deepest sympathies to you and your family during this difficult time . Praying  that you find peace and comfort .
Big. big hugs to you all.



Dear Anita, Lauren and Evan,

sending you lots of strength and support in this devastating time. May your hearts find solace in remembering the light moments, the joy and the laughter you shared.

All the very best,
Hannah

To the Matsuda family I am so sorry for your loss. Kelly was truly a mentor to so many people in pharmacy. He was always so kind and patient with everyone he worked with. We were all so lucky to have been able to know him. 

Dear Anita, Lauren and Evan,

My heart goes out to you during this difficult time. 

I wish you and your family courage and peace during this time of mourning.

With heartfelt condolences,
Laurentia

Dear Lauren, Evan and Anita,

My heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Big hugs, Eleonora

My deepest condolences to the Matsuda family.  Kelly was a great preceptor and I had a honor of working with him right after my residency for a couple of years.  He was a great cardiology pharmacist with a wealth of information .  With all his accomplishments, he was most proud of being a father to his children.   Kelly, I’ll miss you.  Rest in pease.

I am saddened to hear the loss of a wonderful colleague and mentor. Kelly was always willing to share his knowledge and expertise and did so with his wonderful smile. He will be missed. My deepest condolences to his family. - Samy Pourali

Kelly. This news was a complete surprise and really tore my heart apart. You were my favorite preceptor, wonderful mentor, and an amazing friend. You thought I was crazy being on your rotation while pregnant. First day on your rotation, you told me people often mistakenly think that you were a women because of your name and you asked me if that happens to me too since my name is more often a guy name.  You came to the other side of the hospital to check on me on the day my little one was born. You taught me that there is no such a thing as "too many diapers" when I have an infant at home and life is not just about career and work, there is much more that life has to offer. You believed in me when I did not believe in myself.  Words can't describe my sorrow. I wish I visited you more after my residency was over.  Kelly, rest in peace. I am going to miss you very very much.  He loved life and loved his family so dearly and always so excited to talk about them.  My prayers are with you Kelly and your beloved family.  -Bo

My deepest condolences to the Matsuda family. Kelly was my mentor. He inspired me to pursue cardiology and academia. He was a leader and well respected by everyone he worked with at Stanford. His legacy continues in all the students he has taught. May you rest in eternal peace, Kelly. I’ll take it from here.

Kelly, thank you for being my unofficial mentor when I was contemplating my career change from nursing to pharmacy. Your dedication to the profession and immense knowledge inspired me to pursue pharmacy. You changed my life. Rest in peace, my friend. - Lucy

We are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend Kelly.  He was so kind and thoughtful.  He was the first one in the satellite in the mornings and helped us out all day.  Since he assigned himself to all our units too, the MICU and SICU nurses knew and loved him too.   We love you Kelly.  You will always be in our thoughts. 
Mike, Vitaliy, Benny, Calvin, April, Janice, Hans, and Chris.

I was truly lucky to have worked side by side with Kelly for almost 20 years at Stanford. He was a great friend and a highly respected cardiology pharmacist. I will miss him dearly and will never forget him.  God Bless his family. 


I have known Kelly eversince I started working at  Stanford Hospital 25 years ago. He is like a dear brother to me, my confidant. A very intelligent being, so friendly and respected by everyone. Such an amazing person! I feel so lucky to have known him. We will miss you so much Kelly and your smiling face. His shining personality will live and remain in our hearts! Sending prayers and comfort hugs to his dearest family! May his soul rest in peace! Amen!

I worked with Kelly for 15 years at Stanford on D1.  He was such a down to earth guy who was always there for pharmacy things, break room snacks, potlucks and hallway laughs.  He will be greatly missed.  He was such a huge part of our work family.  I’ m praying for his family’s comfort at this tough time.  May he rest in peace.

With love,
Lynn Abel Paligo

Kelly was a dear friend & co-worker of mine for over 20 yrs on D1 !  He was a very remarkable man!  Not only was he very professional at his job, he was a  mentor to many,  he was shoulder to lean on,  he was always there to lend an ear and he was a great friend to all those who knew him!  Kelly was a kind heart and loving soul!  He is now our Angel in Heaven & his soul will be there to lift us up during this difficult time as we remember all the fond times we shared with him .  May God Bless him & may he rest in peace! And may God Bless his family & give them strength , peace & love during this time of great loss!  My Deepest Sympathies & Love,  Kristina Marin
D1 Stanford Alumni RN





My sincere condolences to the family of Kelly Matsuda. He was our beloved pharmacist, such a good and caring co-worker, friend, father and husband. Enjoy the company of angels Kelly. You are now free of any pain and suffering.  Rest in peace. We will always remember you in our hearts. 💐

I have no words.  My heart is hurting.  Kelly was so special.  We had maternity and paternity leave together and would take long walks with our girls who became quick friends.  Even though I left the Bay Area 11 years ago, Kelly and I still managed to stay in touch.  May he rest in peace.

betsy conway

Kelly and I had worked together for over 20 years. He is one of honest, caring person I know. No matter how busy we are  at work we still find time to catch-up with family matters.  We laugh and we both enjoyed our job.
He is amazing pharmacist, teacher,  friend and colleague.  He will be truly miss.. 😢


Kelly and I were colleagues at Stanford Hospital. We both shared a love of teaching and I know his insights and clinical expertise were cherished by his colleagues, medical staff , residents and students.  He will be missed.
Sandy Bardas

I am so saddened by the news of my friend, Kelly  Matsuda, passing away. We were hired at Stanford at the same time and worked with each other for a long time. He always was ready for talking and sharing . He was very knowledgeable and he was much respected by his colleagues and students who he guided in the best way. The Medical staff always respected him and used him as a great resource for information. 
May his family have the strength to endure this loss.      Shahrzad Haghparast 

Kelly was one of my favorite people in the world, and it was a honor to work with him for as long as I did. We had a unique  relationship of trying to be extremely professional while sounding like two foul-mouthed sailors in private. He was honestly one of the smartest people I ever met, and taught me a lot. He didn’t just teach me about pharmacy related things, but how to be a good person/dad/man. He was truly one of a kind, and I’ll miss him in a way words can’t describe. 

OBITUARY

Kelly Yoshimi Matsuda

January 10, 1957 – July 25, 2023

Willow Glen Funeral Home

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