Mist made most of life after accident

By Rod Ohira
Star-Bulletin

Robert Wakefield Mist took on the greatest challenge of his life at age 60 when a swimming accident left him paralyzed.

At the time, Mist was administrator of resort operations for C. Brewer & Co.

What he achieved in the final 15 years and five months of his life following the August 1981 accident was more inspiring and rewarding than anything he accomplished in a successful 35-year career as a top business executive.

“With that stiff upper lip from his British heritage and his inherited warrior strength, he never gave in to feeling sorry for himself,” Martha Austin Mist said, referring to her husband of 49 years who died Monday in Honolulu.

“He just carried on and his absolutely fine mind kept on working up to the last two weeks,” she added. “His doctor told me he never saw him depressed.”

Although he was able to move only his head and neck and needed a respirator to breathe, Mist learned how to work on a personal computer by using a pointer held between his teeth to punch in words.

Mist completed 10 unpublished children’s books based on his childhood and an autobiography.

“I’ll remember him as a wonderful, exciting and humorous person who was so adaptable,” Martha Mist said. “He loved the water, politics and life.”

Mist’s family roots in Hawaii date back to 1850, and his grandfather served as King David Kalakaua’s minister of foreign affairs.

He served as chairman of the Republican Party’s Hawaii County Committee and later the State Central Committee.

Hawaiian Agronomics Co. was among his favorite projects at C. Brewer, his wife said.

Survivors include son Robert Stafford Mist of Colorado; daughters June Sullivan and D.C. Eichelberger, and five grandchildren.

Services: Friday, 8 a.m., at Outrigger Canoe Club; 4 p.m., St. Andrew’s Cathedral.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Duke Kahanamoku Foundation, care of the Outrigger Canoe Club, or the Rotary Club of Honolulu.

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Crosby, 91, was key force at Central Union

By Harold Morse
Star-Bulletin

The Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Crosby, minister emeritus of Central Union Church, served as its senior minister in years 1952-70 and guided its remarkable growth in that eventful era.

Crosby died Thursday at Arcadia Retirement Residence.

He was 91.

“He was a very strong leader of Central Union Church,” said the Rev. Edwin Robinson, present minister.

“He came during the years following the second World War, and it was a time of growth in Honolulu. It was sort of the golden era of mainline churches nationwide.

“Central Union Church at that time was also a strong church, but he continued to help the church to grow and become even stronger,” Robinson said. “During his ministry, I think there was a good deal of building that went on . ... This reflected a need for more space for a growing congregation.”

A second Sunday morning worship service was initiated; a minister to youth and full-time minister of music were added; and church membership grew to more than 2,000. The women’s, youth and administration buildings were built; the main sanctuary was completely remodeled, and Arcadia Retirement Residence was built.

The Senior Center program also started under Crosby’s guidance in 1964.

Additionally, Central Union expanded to the Windward side during the Crosby ministry, Robinson said. Central Union Church Windward, now Windward United Church of Christ, opened in Kaneohe.

“It’s also significant that Arcadia was built,” Robinson added. “He retired there and passed away there. He was very instrumental in the building of that, providing leadership for its being built.”

“He had the longest tenure in the history of the church. He was there for 18 years, and no one was there any longer than that,” he said.

A native of Norfield, Miss., Crosby graduated from Yale Divinity School. Before moving to Hawaii, he was a minister in Waterbury, Conn., 1932-39; Manchester, N.H., 1939-44; and LaGrange, Ill., 1944-52. Everywhere he live and worked, he was very active in civic and service groups.

He is survived by wife Muriel.

A memorial service will take place at 2 p.m. Friday at Central Union Church.

Harold P. Ahinga, 82, of Kaneohe died Saturday in Kaiser Hospital. Born in the Philippines, he is survived by wife Editha; sons Zachary, Reginald and Calvin; daughters Eleanor Mateo, Rosaline Segi, Zenaida Alonzo and Zita Ahinga; brother Mike; sister Flaviana; 21 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren. Service: 10:30 a.m. tomorrow at St. Ann Catholic Church in Kaneohe. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples.

Ralph M. Ajimine, 77, of Honolulu, a retired Victoria’s Inn cook, died Sunday in Kuakini Hospital. Born in Hilo, he is survived by wife Patsy; daughter Kathy K. Yuen; brothers Richard M., Frank T. and William S.; sisters Alice Y. Matsumoto, Nancy K. Toguchi and Dorothy F. Aguiar; and two grandchildren. Memorial service: 4 p.m. Friday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.

Hisayo Ban, 99, of Captain Cook, Hawaii, a retired coffee farmer, died Monday in Kona Community Hospital. Born in Hiroshima, Japan, she is survived by daughter/caregiver Janyce F. Kawabata; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Service: 4 p.m. Friday at Kona Hongwanji Mission. Call after 3 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.

Rudolph L. “Uncle Bolo” Cabebe, 57, of Pahoa, Hawaii, a retired construction worker, died last Wednesday at home. Born in Wahiawa, he is survived by wife Aileen; sons Brian, Joseph and David; daughter Alberta; hanai son Kimo Kekua; mother Alberta Murphy; sisters Leatrice Cabagua, Julia Duran, Edwina Parrow and Genavive; and five grandchildren. Service: 5 p.m. Friday at Olaa First Hawaiian Congregational Church. Call after 3 p.m. Cremation to follow. Casual attire.

Yoshio Higuchi will be remembered in a service over his ashes 4 p.m. today at Paia Mantokuji Mission. Casual attire. No flowers. Incorrect information for an obituary published yesterday was provided by the mortuary.

Robert S. “Bobby” Ito,, 76, of Waialua, a federal retiree, died last Wednesday in Wahiawa General Hospital. Ito was also a veteran of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Born in Wahiawa, he is survived by wife, Juanita P.; sons Robert S. Jr. and Ryan S. Ito, and Leonard P. Ladon; daughters Sheridan R. Albeso, Beverly A. Sabagala, Kathryn M. Flores, Estrellita L. Myers and Joycelyn P. Kalaaukahi; brother Koji; sisters Bessie R. Ito, Jean S. Matsui and Judith M. Kishimoto; 18 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Memorial service: 6:30 p.m. Friday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Casual attire. No flowers.

Cecilia M. Kaiwi, 87, of Ewa Beach died Saturday in St. Francis Hospital. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by sons Benedict K. Hattori and John L.K. Rowe; daughter Alberta K. Gomes; 23 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Service: noon Friday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Call after 9:30 a.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples. Aloha attire.

Madeline Kauo, 81, of Anahola, Kauai, a retired Libbys Pineapple packer, died Jan. 7 in California. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by daughters Roberta St. Laurent and Ethel G. Kauo; brothers Sambo and Lawrence Keolanui; sisters Nena McKeague, Mary Celades and Dorthey Keolanui; 15 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Service: 11 a.m. Friday at Borthwick Mortuary in Honolulu. Call after 10 a.m. Burial: Greenhaven Cemetery. Casual/aloha attire.

Reginald H.Y. Lee, 87, of Honolulu, a retired Royal Amusement Theatre accountant, died Monday at home. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by son Reginald F.; and two grandchildren. Service: 11 a.m. Sunday at Diamond Head Mortuary. Call after 9:30 a.m. Burial to follow. Casual attire.

Kale-Aniu K. Leong, also known as Charles M.A. Leong Jr., 48, of Honolulu died Monday in Straub Hospital. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by brother Kemp Naniho; and sisters June Zakrzewicz, Alicia and Barbara Naniho, and Mamo Miha. Service over his ashes: 11 a.m. Friday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Call after 10 a.m.

Kenneth K.F. Lung, 91, of Honolulu, a Board of Water Supply retiree, died Dec. 25 in Honolulu. Born in Kilauea, Kauai, he is survived by hanai son Wesley Reams; and several brothers. No services.

Manuel S. Manguchei, 81, of Wailua Houselots, Kauai, a state maintenance retiree, died Saturday in Wilcox Hospital. Born in Kilauea, Kauai, he is survived by wife Julia; sons Michael, Leonard and Leroy; brothers John and Basilio; sisters Crucita Waldstein and Margaret McGill; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Rosary: 10 a.m. tomorrow at the Immaculate Conception Church. Call after 9 a.m. Mass to follow at 11 a.m. Burial: Kauai Memorial Gardens.

Donna L.P. Manning, 47, of Midland, Texas, native of Honolulu, died yesterday in Texas. Manning was the co-owner and co-operator of Manning’s Garden Center in Texas. She is survived by husband Tom; sons Todd, Tim and Treg; parents Don and Virginia Lawrence; and brother Don Lawrence Jr. Memorial services to be held. Donations suggested to Golf Course Road Church of Christ, Landscape Beautification Project, 3500 W. Golf Course Road, Midland, Texas 79703.

Oren K. Nagasako, 26, of Honolulu, a forensic toxicology technician for Tripler Army Medical Center laboratory, died Monday in Wilcox Hospital. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by father Walter K.; mother Marjorie M.; brother Reuben G.; and grandparents Minoru and Mitsue. Memorial service: 6 p.m. Saturday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Call after 5 p.m.

Fesilafa‘i Niumata, 25, of Waipahu will be remembered in services Saturday. Niumata died last Wednesday in a two-car head-on collision on Kauai. Born in American Samoa, she is survived by parents Perosi and Leleai; sisters Talaga Faamai, Lafua Pomele and Anoalo Manutau; and brothers Tuua Perosi, and Perosi Jr., Tala, Malaetia, Lafoa‘i and Va‘avaai Niumata. Service: 10 a.m. Saturday at Pearl City Community Church. Burial: Sunset Memorial Park. Casual attire.

Yukie Pimental, 70, of Kailua died Saturday at home. Born in Captian Cook, Hawaii, she is survived by sons Nathan T. and Myles Y. Nomura; stepson Bill “Primo”; stepdaughter Patricia Donley; sisters Edith Shinjo, Yuriko Ota and Fumiko Dodge; brothers Jerry and Taski Koshi; and a grandson. Service: 10 a.m. Friday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call after 8 a.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples. Casual attire.

Richard E. Platt, 81, of North Richland Hills, Texas, retired vice president of land development for Bishop Trust Co., died Saturday in Honolulu. Born in Hoy, La., he is survived by son Carter; daughter Sherry Bolls; sister Serena Pietsch; brothers Eldon and David; fiancee Margaret Smith; and four grandchildren. Memorial gathering: 2 p.m. Sunday at the Crouching Lion Inn. Scattering of ashes to follow. Aloha attire.

Daniel Rodrigues, 60, of Makakilo, a retired Wasa Electric Co. heavy equipment operator, died Saturday in St. Francis-West Hospital. Born on Maui, he is survived by wife, Judith “Melva”; sons Keith K., Kimo K. and Kaililaau K.; daughter Kim K. Ilae; brothers Abel H. and Harold K.; sisters Janet Larracy and Carol N. Bartolome; and six grandchildren. Service: 11:45 a.m. tomorrow at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call after 9:30 a.m. Burial to follow. Casual attire.

William H. Rost Jr., 76, of Hana, Maui, died Saturday in Kula Hospital. Born in Swissville, Penn., he is survived by wife Caroline K.; son Robert W.; daughters Alma E. Nelson and Estella K. Rost; sister Mary Lou; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Mass: 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Mary’s Church. Call after 11 a.m. Casual attire.

Clara L. Ryan, 88, of Kapaa, Kauai, died last Wednesday in Wilcox Hospital. Born in North Dakota, she is survived by brother Max Schlader; sons Robert and Rich; stepson Robert Coolidge; 27 foster children; and seven grandchildren. Services pending.

Columbus S. Serrano, 65, of Oregon, who died Dec. 31 in Portland, Ore., will be remembered in services in Hawaii. Born in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur, the Philippines, he is survived by sons Columbus Jr. and Christopher; daughters Penny Mock and Veheliana Robert; brothers Teofilo and Dominador; sisters Guadalupe Ramos, Virginia Alcain, Exaltacion Gauthier, Natividad Corrales and Juliana Serrano; and three grandchildren. Wake: 7 p.m. Friday at Mililani Downtown Mortuary. Call after 6 p.m. Mass: 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Elizabeth Church in Aiea. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples.

Nancy S. Shiraki, 73, of Honolulu, a retired dietitian, died Dec. 26 at home. Born in Wahiawa, she is survived by husband Dr. Mitsuru; sons Daniel T. and Douglas S.; daughter Katherine K. Perez; sisters Helen H. Fukushima and Phyllis M. Aoki; and two grandchildren. Private services.

Agnes D. Soares, also known as Agnes Dias Soares, 87, of Honokaa, Hawaii, died Saturday in the North Hawaii Community Hospital. Born in Waimea, Hawaii, she is survived by son Joseph D. Jr.; daughter Rose D. Gusman; brother George Vierra; sisters Caroline Paiva and Annie Dequilo; seven grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. Mass: 10 a.m. tomorrow at Honokaa Catholic Church. Call after 8 a.m. Burial: church cemetery. Casual attire.

Viola M.K.K.E. “Fatso” Studebaker, 64, of Nanakuli died Saturday in Tripler Hospital. Born in Waikapu, Maui, she is survived by husband Reuben C.; children Renee Collier, Royce Kalauokaaea, Violette Nacapoy, Arnette Ishikawa, Mae Reardon, Samuel Holbrook IV, Thomas Palko and Ryan Studebaker; mother Violet M.K. Medeiros; brother E.K. Enos; sisters Kuulei Nobriga and Maile Artis; and 10 grandchildren. Service: 10:30 a.m. tomorrow at Mililani Downtown Mortuary. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery, Kaneohe.

Rita E. Swartz, 72, of Honolulu, a Pan American and Dollar Rent-A-Car retiree, died Saturday in Queen’s Hospital. Born in Wailua, Kauai, she is survived by hanai son Rick Reich; hanai daughter Patricia Franklin; brother Allen Hawkins; and sister Inez Palmer. No services. Private scattering of ashes.

Seiyei “Spike” Toguchi, 77, of Kaneohe, a retired heavy equipment operator, died Monday at home. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by wife Hatsumi; sons Ronald M., Terry and Glenn; daughters Linda Hatori and Carol Tanahara; brother Clarence; sister Elsie Yogi; 13 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Me morial service: 4 p.m. Sunday at Nuuanu Memorial Park Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.

Catherine M.Y.C. Tom, 76, of Honolulu died Jan. 7. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by daughters Rhoda Masatani and Beverly Chadwell; sons Gaylord, Randall and Myron; brothers Harold and Melvin Chang; sisters Henrietta Dang and Loretta Choy; and seven grandchildren. Chinese Buddhist services: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Cremation to follow. Casual attire.

Saturnina U. Ugale, 90, of Honolulu died Dec. 27 in Maluhia Hospital. Born in Magsingal, Ilocos Sur, the Philippines, she is survived by husband Jacobo R.; sons Flaviano and Thomas; daughters Esperanza Tabbay, Christina and Nena Ugale, Teresita Tamargo, Rochelle Uganiza and Joanne Tabudlo; sisters Kikay Costales, Dominga Pamulo, Margaret Uclaray and Carolina Rabanal; 23 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Wake: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Call after 6 p.m. Mass: 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa. Call after 8 a.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples.

Mildred H. “Millie” Watanabe, 71, of Pearl City, a retired waitress for Shiro’s Hula Hula Drive Inn and Saimin Haven, died Thursday at home. Born in Honomu, Hawaii, she is survived by husband Takashi “Henry” “Lefty”; sons Wayne and Kevin; daughters Sharleen Teruya, Amy Kira, Joyce Watanabe and Janice Fujii; brother Harold Yamachika; sisters Gladys Tyau, Chikayo Okano, Mitsuko Mitsuyoshi and Violet Ung; 13 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Memorial service: 6 p.m. Friday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.

Ume Yasui, 100, of Ewa Beach, former owner/operator of the Saimin Shop in Ewa town, died last Wednesday at home. Born in Ono Saiki-gun, Hiroshima, Japan, she is survived by sons Taichi Imada and Shoso Yasui; daughters Masue Goto, Judy Vincent and Akiko Wakatsuki; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren. Casual attire. No flowers. Service: 6:30 p.m. tomorrow at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, makai chapel. Casual attire. No flowers.

Pauline P. Yee, 38, of Waimanalo, a legal secretary for attorney Charles Hurd, died Jan. 7 in Kaiser Hospital. Yee, an alaka‘i for Hula Halau ‘O Kamuela, began Kapahukapuokahalau in September 1996. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by husband Leighton Kapana; children Brandy-Lee, Alan K. Jr., Nikki-Ann, Shelby-Ann and Jamie-Lee; brothers Simeon and Mark Andrews; and sisters Rose Martin, Theresa Rowland and Myrna Andrews. Memorial service: 7 p.m. Monday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call after 6 p.m. Private scattering of ashes. Donations suggested to Friends of Pauline Yee, care of Charles Hurd, 201 Merchant St., Suite 2020, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813. Casual attire. No flowers.

Grant I. Yoshikawa, 69, of Kailua, retired owner/proprietor of Grant’s Electric, died Dec. 31 in Castle Hospital. Born in Lahaina, he is survived by brother Douglas Y., Edward H., Richard M., Ernest K., Gilbert M. and Russell M.; and sisters Kaye Y. Higa, Susie R. Schaeffer and Violet Y. Wasano. Memorial service: 8 p.m. Friday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Inurnment with military honors: 10 a.m. Saturday at Sunset Memorial Park. Casual attire. No flowers.