Ralph Shigeru Ikeda lived most of his life on Maui before moving to Honolulu five years ago. He died after a brief illness on July 6, 2020 at the age of 91. The middle son of 5 children, he was born in Paia, Maui, Hawaii to Satoki and Waru Ikeda. In 1950, at age 21, he married Loretta Takeyama of Honolulu, Hawaii. They had two children. Ralph loved to sing romantic duets with his wife when young. In their retirement, Mauians would see them holding hands as they walked the malls for exercise and would tell them how "cute" they looked. Before they retired, he and Loretta had worked tirelessly together to expand Ikeda's in Paia to include branches in Wailuku and Lahaina as well as two Second Look stores in the Maui Mall and Kaahumanu Center. He and Loretta created Napili Sportswear's line of Hawaiian wear which was sold throughout Hawaii. Ralph loved to watch sporting events of all kinds, but especially football, baseball, and basketball. If he hadn't returned to Maui after college to help his parents in the family business, he would have wanted to be a sportscast announcer. Ralph enjoyed big parties at their home, friendly weekend poker games with their "poker gang," and playing the slots and poker in Vegas. Family and friends remember him for his love of telling silly jokes and his amazing ability to devour plates of sushi.
Ralph is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Valerie and Douglas Katagiri of Beaverton, Oregon; his son, Gehrig Ikeda of Honolulu, Hawaii; grandchildren Adrianne (and husband, Steve) Kwak of Washington, and Zach (and wife, Amanda) Katagiri of New York; great-grandchildren Ellie Kwak (age 15), Cara Kwak (age 13), Alden Katagiri (age 3) and Tate Katagiri (2 months); sister, Kathleen (and husband Kenji) Sumida of Hawaii, and sisters-in-law Betty Kay Ikeda of Texas; Kazuko Ikeda of Hawaii, Sheilah Kodama of California and Joan (and husband, Reynold) Shoho of Nevada, and many other beloved relatives, friends, and caregivers. Three of Ralph's brothers pre-deceased him: Kenneth (and wife Amy), Richard, and Robert. Ralph loved and lived for his family. Soon after his wife's mother's untimely death when Loretta was 21, they brought her father to live with them on Maui; Kiyoshi lived with them until his death in 1988. Ralph enjoyed being with family and friends to celebrate births, marriages, reunions, graduations, and good times.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no memorial service. The family is not accepting koden (monetary gift). Instead, you may make a donation in memory of Ralph Ikeda to promote medical advances to the health issue of your choice if you so desire.
Arrangements Provided By:
Hosoi Garden Mortuary
