Laurie Ishida
My kids and I have gone to Dr. Yamamoto for over 25 years. He was an awesome humble doctor that had the most excellent diagnostic skills. He was a master at prescribing the perfect combinations and dosages of meds to take care of our asthma attacks. I used to call it his “potions” that had to be taken a certain way. I once carried my
2 week-old infant Rachel, with my 2-year old, Mark tagging along with a very sick 6-year old Kirk, who was diagnosed with pneumonia, and I then checked me out and I had walking pneumonia. He took one look at Rach and said, she’s very jaundiced - call your pediatrician. He was so amazing, he kept me calm and reassured me every step of the way till we were all on the mend.
He was like a benevolent uncle to my kids keeping up with their activities and careers. He often gave them uncle-like sage advice about a sense of character, duty, and education.
He gifted me 3 of his impressionist prints that hung in his exam rooms. I think he was changing out to display his cool Star Wars artifacts. They are treasured in my home, not only because of their beauty, but because it came from him.
I loved the old-fashioned style of going through his curtained office to get the directions for the right combination and procedures of how to administer the meds. Worked efficiently like a charm every time! I loved that he typed it out for us so we could follow his professional advice exactly. I still have a few of those half sheets.
His office was legendary for his stacks of books, journals, samples, and treats for the kids. I once teased him when I saw a can of WD-40 on the shelf, “Wow! Dr. Yamamoto - I knew WD-40 can fix anything, but does it work for wheezy chests, too?” He laughed with a good-hearted belly guffaw.
He was so proud of his daughter and son. He told me how well they were doing. If memory serves me, his daughter went into the medical field , and his son was lived in Japan. He was proud that his son could take them anywhere in Japan and tell what food each prefecture specialized in. I hope I got those memories straight because I want his children to know that their dad bragged on them because he was so proud of them.
Irene, I’m so sorry for your loss. Dr. Yamamoto was vital part of our lives. A professional that could always fix us, and who cared about what we did outside of his office.
My condolences and deepest sympathy. He is missed and did so much good for others for his time on Earth. A life that served others.
Take care. Blessings for you and your family. Laurie Ishida