DR. RONALD HIROMI KATO August 18, 1934 - January 4, 2015 Ronald Hiromi Kato, 80, was born in Otake Camp, Waialua. He was raised there and then Wahiawa until attending college. At the University of Hawaii he majored in Chemistry and participated in the ROTC. After graduation he joined the U.S. Air Force where he flew the F-86 Sabre jet fighter in Europe and Libya. Following that he attended medical school at the University of Colorado. In 1967, he married Maura O'Malley, an Irish nurse he met in San Francisco. His residency and surgical training were with the U.S. Army at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington D.C. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Major and as a board certified Ear, Nose, and Throat surgeon. They moved to Watsonville, California in 1975 where he practiced for over thirty years. Life there was busy raising their three children, growing beautiful trees, roses, and flowers, and taking care of their many and various pets. Their retirement years were spent alternating summers in Connemara, Ireland and winters in Honolulu, Hawaii. On January 4th, he passed from complications due to Multiple System Atrophy. He died peacefully at home and surrounded by his family. He is survived by Maura his wife of 48 years, his daughter Deirdre Kato, sons Brendan and Eamon Kato, his daughter in law Lien Tran, and grandson Nolan Kato. He lived a life of honor, purity, and integrity. He believed in equality and truth. Special thanks to the Kato family and Islands Hospice nurses who provided comfort and support. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Islands Hospice, 1301 Young Street, Suite 300, Honolulu, HI 96814. Visitation will take place January 9, 2015 at 1pm and funeral services at 2pm at Hosoi Garden Mortuary, 30 North Kukui Street, Honolulu, HI 96817.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
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