Tsunetaro "Charles" Nishida

Tsunetaro “Charles” Nishida passed away peacefully on June 2, 2024 in Kirkland, Washington. Charles was born in Yawatahama City, Ehime Prefecture on Shikoku Island, Japan on December 12, 1930. He grew up working on his family’s Satsuma orange farm with his five sisters, four brothers and parents. In his free time, Charles loved to read books especially adventure and history. Being an intensely curious person, he became interested in English because his grandfather worked in Tacoma, Washington during the 1920s.

Charles followed his dream of becoming an English teacher with a bachelor’s degree from Hiroshima University in Japan. After teaching English, Charles applied and was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship. The scholarship enabled him to move to Seattle and enter the University of Washington graduate programs earning a Master of Arts in English Literature and graduate studies in International Business and Finance. He pursued a career in banking eventually becoming Vice President of Corporate Banking at Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi in Seattle.

While at the University of Washington, Charles met his future wife, Madoka “Mary” Morimoto who was also a Fulbright scholar. They married in 1957 settling in the Seattle area eventually becoming U.S. citizens.

Charles was active in many Japanese intercultural organizations and supported education as an advisor to University of Washington international student interns. He had a deep appreciation for both Japanese and American literary, cultural, and performing arts. He also enjoyed nature and exploring National Parks with his family.

He is survived by his wife, Madoka “Mary,” son Felix, daughter-in-law Noelle, daughter Marie, son-in-law Jim Myers and sisters in Japan as well as many nieces and nephews.

He will be deeply missed.