Hiro Iwasaki

Hiro Iwasaki, in his own words, “left this reality for new adventures” on January 21, 2025.

Hiro was born the eldest son of Iwao and Haruye (Oba) Iwasaki in Salt Lake City, UT, on May 11, 1938. The family moved to the Seattle/Portland area for part of Hiro’s childhood. Shortly after World War II began, the government ordered all Japanese Americans on the West Coast to be moved to relocation camps; Hiro’s family was sent to the Minidoka Relocation Center in Idaho.

When the family was released, they returned to Salt Lake City, where Hiro grew up surrounded by aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Hiro graduated from West High (1956) and Westminster College (1960) with a degree in engineering. Hiro earned his Professional Engineer License in 1971.

One very special job during high school and college was working at the Pagoda Restaurant with his “boss,” Uncle Fudge. From that experience, Hiro felt he had learned many life lessons.

Hiro married Elaine Mitarai on June 21, 1965. Shortly after, he was employed by the Navy office to work in Okinawa, and Elaine joined him. With this beginning, the two shared an adventure that continued for 59 years. The birth of Vince and Jeff added to the joy of their adventure.

Hiro worked for the Department of Defense for 35 years in diverse engineering jobs: machine design (Tooele Army Depot), Public Works (Military Facilities, Okinawa), chemical agent disposal (Dugway Proving Ground), and aerospace (Navy Office, Bacchus, Utah).

As Vince & Jeff got older, Hiro shared his excitement to explore with family hiking vacations, always encouraging the boys to hike to that “next rock.” When Vince & Jeff became Boy Scouts, Hiro joined them in their troop’s adventures backpacking throughout the West, including a memorable Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim trip through the Grand Canyon.

Other adventures that brought a smile to our dad included llama-packing with good friends for week-long camping trips in the “Winds,” weekly tennis with the “old guys,” partnering in tennis at the St. George Senior Games, throwing pottery, and travel adventures. One very special occasion was the trip to Costa Rica, where Hiro and Elaine celebrated their 50th Anniversary with their children and grandchildren. Being surrounded by his family was Hiro’s joy!

The Japanese Church of Christ, where Hiro attended as a child and continued until his passing, was a very special place of worship and community, so important in his life. How he loved the “Church Family.” His favorite bible passage: “He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you? To do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

Hiro is survived by his wife, Elaine; children, Vince (Irene) and Jeff (Carrie); grandchildren, Emi, Kimi, Payton, and Mika; sister, Beverly Saito (Spencer, deceased); sister-in-law, Marian Iwasaki (Glenn, deceased); and many loving relatives. Preceded in death by parents, Bill (Iwao) and Evelyn (Haruye) Iwasaki, and parents-in-law, Henry and Helen Mitarai.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Hiro Iwasaki on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at the Japanese Church of Christ, 268 West 100 South, Salt Lake City, Utah. The service will begin at 11:00 a.m.