It is sad -- especially -- for me to write about Imamura-san, the correct way to refer to him. (thank you, John Fisher '64, for that important point!) Hiroshi, as he asked to be called at Williams, died in 2019, but we only learned of his death recently.
Hiroshi had an unusual journey from Japan to Williams College. We found out, only later, that Hiroshi received his Master's degree from Doshisha University in Japan in 1959, and then he came to the United States and Williams College to earn his AB degree. Hiroshi was a member in good standing of the Class of 1964, and those of us who were members of Phi Delt Fraternity were delighted to have him as our "brother."
At Williams, Hiroshi majored in economics. He was a masterful ping pong player. At Phi Delt, he had an infectious smile, but he was something of a terror at the house bridge table. Hiroshi was always willing to join in any and all activites in which we were engaged: sports events, films, lectures, art exhibits, and the like. I always thought that few other undergraduates got as much out of Williams as Hiroshi did.
When my parents first met Hiroshi at Williams -- Dad was Class of 1937 -- they were very taken with him. When I landed a job in Los Angeles in the summer of 1962, my parents immediately invited Hiroshi to spend the summer in Mount Kisco, NY, and to be a "big brother" to my three younger sisters. Hiroshi took that offer. He became a great friend to Debbie, Judy (later Class of 1972), and Nancy immediately. Hiroshi sat at the kitchen counter every morning with my mother and read the front page of The New York Times out loud to improve his already-good command of the English language and discuss the events of the day with Mom.
More than that, Hiroshi accompanied my sisters, Judy and Nancy, to their frequent swim meets. Hiroshi had a magificent watch, and he very soon became The Master Timer at all the meets -- home and away. The parents of all the swimmers really loved Hiroshi, and the coach used to hug Hiroshi after every meet for his thoughtful and professional timing. On weekends, Dad played tennis with Hiroshi, a game Hiroshi also enjoyed. However, Dad never beat Hiroshi at ping pong down in our basement.... (The reader will see why below!)
Professor John Eusden helped me land a volunteer position with the Board of National Missions of the United Presbyterian Church in Southeast Alaska in the summer of 1963. As soon as that adventure was secure for me, my parents invited Hiroshi back to Mount Kisco for the summer of 1963. Hiroshi accepted; my sisters were thrilled.
At one point in one of those two summers, my youngest sister was at a camp in CT, and Hiroshi went to the camp with my parents for Parents' Day. During a picnic, Nancy, then aged 9 or 10, asked Hiroshi point blank how old he was. He responded right away that he was 32 years old! My mother, who always assumed that Hiroshi was about 20, was stunned. She had to re-examine -- FAST -- the ways that she had been hosting him. My sisters did not mind what Hiroshi's age was; they were devoted to him. They even urged Hiroshi to teach them Japanese which he did -- including one swear phrase....
After Commencement, I remember taking Hiroshi to the Pittsfield Railroad Station where he boarded the Lake Shore Limited for Chicago and then, I think, the Super Chief to Califronia -- en route home. He and his lovely wife Sanae came to the States a few years later, and they visited us. In the 1970s, my parents went to Japan where they were received royally by Hiroshi and Sanae. More recently, our daughter Jennifer was a tour manager in the early 1990s, and, on a trip to Japan, she ALSO was welcomed by Hiroshi and Sanae regally.
On those visits, my parents and my daughter learned that Hiroshi was a ranked national ping pong player in Japan. In 2013, at his university, Hiroshi received The Decoration of the Order of the Sacred Treasure (Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon) for his many contributions to Japanese society.
I will remember -- always -- this kind, caring, and un-assuming friend and brother who was actually a real Force of Nature.
Peter Buttenheim
Classmates:
It is sad -- especially -- for me to write about Imamura-san, the correct way to refer to him. (thank you, John Fisher '64, for that important point!) Hiroshi, as he asked to be called at Williams, died in 2019, but we only learned of his death recently.
Hiroshi had an unusual journey from Japan to Williams College. We found out, only later, that Hiroshi received his Master's degree from Doshisha University in Japan in 1959, and then he came to the United States and Williams College to earn his AB degree. Hiroshi was a member in good standing of the Class of 1964, and those of us who were members of Phi Delt Fraternity were delighted to have him as our "brother."
At Williams, Hiroshi majored in economics. He was a masterful ping pong player. At Phi Delt, he had an infectious smile, but he was something of a terror at the house bridge table. Hiroshi was always willing to join in any and all activites in which we were engaged: sports events, films, lectures, art exhibits, and the like. I always thought that few other undergraduates got as much out of Williams as Hiroshi did.
When my parents first met Hiroshi at Williams -- Dad was Class of 1937 -- they were very taken with him. When I landed a job in Los Angeles in the summer of 1962, my parents immediately invited Hiroshi to spend the summer in Mount Kisco, NY, and to be a "big brother" to my three younger sisters. Hiroshi took that offer. He became a great friend to Debbie, Judy (later Class of 1972), and Nancy immediately. Hiroshi sat at the kitchen counter every morning with my mother and read the front page of The New York Times out loud to improve his already-good command of the English language and discuss the events of the day with Mom.
More than that, Hiroshi accompanied my sisters, Judy and Nancy, to their frequent swim meets. Hiroshi had a magificent watch, and he very soon became The Master Timer at all the meets -- home and away. The parents of all the swimmers really loved Hiroshi, and the coach used to hug Hiroshi after every meet for his thoughtful and professional timing. On weekends, Dad played tennis with Hiroshi, a game Hiroshi also enjoyed. However, Dad never beat Hiroshi at ping pong down in our basement.... (The reader will see why below!)
Professor John Eusden helped me land a volunteer position with the Board of National Missions of the United Presbyterian Church in Southeast Alaska in the summer of 1963. As soon as that adventure was secure for me, my parents invited Hiroshi back to Mount Kisco for the summer of 1963. Hiroshi accepted; my sisters were thrilled.
At one point in one of those two summers, my youngest sister was at a camp in CT, and Hiroshi went to the camp with my parents for Parents' Day. During a picnic, Nancy, then aged 9 or 10, asked Hiroshi point blank how old he was. He responded right away that he was 32 years old! My mother, who always assumed that Hiroshi was about 20, was stunned. She had to re-examine -- FAST -- the ways that she had been hosting him. My sisters did not mind what Hiroshi's age was; they were devoted to him. They even urged Hiroshi to teach them Japanese which he did -- including one swear phrase....
After Commencement, I remember taking Hiroshi to the Pittsfield Railroad Station where he boarded the Lake Shore Limited for Chicago and then, I think, the Super Chief to Califronia -- en route home. He and his lovely wife Sanae came to the States a few years later, and they visited us. In the 1970s, my parents went to Japan where they were received royally by Hiroshi and Sanae. More recently, our daughter Jennifer was a tour manager in the early 1990s, and, on a trip to Japan, she ALSO was welcomed by Hiroshi and Sanae regally.
On those visits, my parents and my daughter learned that Hiroshi was a ranked national ping pong player in Japan. In 2013, at his university, Hiroshi received The Decoration of the Order of the Sacred Treasure (Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon) for his many contributions to Japanese society.
I will remember -- always -- this kind, caring, and un-assuming friend and brother who was actually a real Force of Nature.
Peter Buttenheim
February, 2021