From Craig Thompson, Beacon Alliance of Neighbors:
This morning, Katashi Oita’s grandchildren told me Mr. Oita passed away from pneumonia a few months ago. He was in his late 80s. Mr. Oita was one of the original founders of our community council along northwest and west Beacon Hill, was instrumental in establishing the off-leash area at Dr. Jose Rizal Park, and actively engaged city government to make programs for seniors.
In World War II, Mr. Oita served in U.S. Army Intelligence in the Pacific Theatre. He contracted tuberculosis on a troopship, and had a lung removed. He went on to a successful career in engineering, earning advanced degrees. He once told me how impressed he was with the life of Dr. Rizal, and made a point of visiting the Rizal Museum in Manila.
He was a past officer of the Nisei Veterans Committee Memorial Hall, and last year attended the rededication of the hall, which was also attended by Senator Daniel Inouye.
Mr. Oita cared deeply about Beacon Hill, his family, his neighbors. He owned several houses on northwest Beacon Hill, including mine at one time, but finally settled into the top floor of a small apartment building at 12th Ave. S and Judkins, now owned by his relatives. He said, “I have the best view in Seattle.” He overlooked the park he’d helped create, the changing skyline of the city he called home, the comings and goings of vessels at port, the passages of the people he knew.
He was a brave man and a good one. The neighborhood will miss him.
Katashi Oita – 85 – was instrumental in establishing the off-leash area at Dr. Jose Rizal Park. He died Feb. 11. Photo by Said Israilov/Courtesy of the Outdoor Opportunities program
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