Robert Haruo Obata's Obituary
Robert Haruo Obata died unexpectedly and peacefully at his home in Kailua Hawaii. While he was suffering from the effects of his emphysema, heart irregularity and his failing knees, he was in good spirits and in control of all his faculties up until his passing. On his last day, he went to breakfast and had a lively conversation with a friend and returned to sit outside in the sun on his lanai where he seemingly passed away quickly and peacefully.
Bob continued to push and enjoy himself through his declining health. In July, he was the star of a large multi-day family reunion, as the last member of his family’s generation. He regaled the gathered with his charismatic stories, reminding everyone of his family’s humble history and the sacrifices made. In August, he traveled to the mainland to play cards, gamble, and enjoy good meals with close friends.
A lifelong golfer who thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and camaraderie of the game. He constantly thought about his game, practiced, watched golf on tv and dreamt about his next match. He golfed all over the world with friends and family. His inability to play the game he loved during the last few months took the wind out of his sails.
He also was a professional sports fan, a car enthusiast and made a mean beef jerky.
Uncle Bob had nineteen nephews and nieces, and numerous great nephews and nieces. Many called him “Uncle Bob”, even those not related to him, as a sign of endearment and affection. Uncle Bob was a wonderful uncle.
He was always smiling, happy and willing to help. He was one of the most positive people you would ever know.
His parents Toraichi and Shikao came to this country from Japan looking for a better way of life 120 years ago. Bob was the 11th child, arriving 10 years after his sister Tomi. He was named Haruo, which means Spring in Japanese, he was a “Spring Surprise.” He was born just outside of Hollister California, on a ranch his family managed.
When he was almost 5 years old, he was taken to the internment camp in Poston Arizona along with all his family members. He returned to the Gilroy, CA area where he attended school and became a record setting track athlete. He later attended Cal Poly Pomona.
He enlisted in the Army and went through basic training in Georgia during the Jim Crow era. He faced prejudice and racism; he was told to use the “white-only” facilities. He went to Germany and served as a mechanic.
He moved to the San Jose area and started his own plant nursery business: RHO Nursery. He worked in the wholesale nursery business most of his life. He was a part-time employee at Hardware Hawaii in the nursery department until he was nearly 82!
In 2001, he moved to the island of Oahu and lived with Rod and Tomi Kobara for 15 years in Lanikai, later moving down the road to Kailua. He loved Hawaii, the culture, the food, the people, the weather and of course the golf.
Uncle Bob lived a good life. He made every day a pleasant one for himself and those around him.
He was ageless. He always looked decades younger than he was. His youthful spirit, easy smile and infectious laugh added to his charm and good looks. It was somewhat humorous to hear him complain during the last couple of years when his age and ailments caught up to him. He was required to use oxygen, a pacemaker and a host of surgeries and setbacks, he would say, “I just don’t know what is happening to me.” For more than 85 years he defied the appearance and conditions of aging. Through it all he never lost that smile and that twinkle in his eyes.
As Uncle Bob asked, his ashes will be spread in the ocean at Lanikai. To honor Uncle bob please make someone smile by doing an act of kindness. You may also donate to the Maui Strong fund, managed by the Hawaii Community Foundation, to help the victims of the fire and honor the memory of Uncle Bob.
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