Obituaries

Friday, October 2, 1998

---

Vladimir Ossipoff, dean
of Hawaii architects, dies

By Rod Ohira
Star-Bulletin

Of his profession, Vladimir “Val” Ossipoff noted, “an architect has to be a bit of a sociologist, lawyer and psychologist. He has to know human nature.”

“Val was the dean of residential architects in Hawaii,” Linus Pauling Jr. said about Ossipoff, who died yesterday in Kuakini Hospital at age 90.

Ossipoff designed an award-winning Round Top home for Pauling in 1957.

“He had a remarkable skill in adapting his concept of space with the climate and Hawaii attitude toward living and people who were going to occupy the structure,” said Pauling, the son of the Nobel Prize-winning chemist.

“All the houses he's built are quite different in that way.”

Ossipoff-designed homes are very special.

In 1980, Star-Bulletin reporter Lois Taylor wrote that “Ossipoff is probably the only living local architect whose name shows up in real estate advertisements, where the cachet of ‘an Ossipoff house' jacks up the price.”

Ossipoff worked on the late Clare Boothe Luce's Kahala home and also designed the Pacific Club, Outrigger Canoe Club, Thurston Memorial Chapel at Punahou Schools, Hawaii Prep Academy, the University of Hawaii's administration building and the IBM building.

“He was a very direct yet extremely sensitive man with superb taste,” said architect Sidney Snyder, a business associate of Ossipoff's since 1973.

Ossipoff remained active as a consultant until this year, Snyder said.

“Val designed beautiful structures -- he had great style, great taste and a great ego,” David Eyre said of his longtime friend. “He could be charming and cantankerous, and I love him for all those qualities.”

Ossipoff enjoyed food and cooking and was a wine expert, says Pauling.

“His meals were considered a paragon of flavors and visual displays,” Pauling added.

“As a person, he tended to be gruff, straightforward and out spoken. But he was also bright and very curious about world situations. He gave us a lot of good things.”

Ossipoff, son of a Imperial Russian military officer, was born in Vladivostok on Nov. 25, 1907. He was raised in Japan and educated in Berkeley, Calif., where he attended high school and college.

Ossipoff came to Hawaii in the early 1930s and worked in the home building department of Theo H. Davies before going into private practice as an architect in 1935.

He is survived by his daughters, Alexandra and Valerie, and grandchildren.

Services are pending.

---

Yoshio Arakaki, 73, of Ewa Beach, a retired painter for Harry Asato Painting Inc., died Thursday in Kuakini Hospital. Born in Koloa, Kauai, he is survived by wife Doris T.; daughters Janice F. Arakaki and Rachel Y. Tanaka; brothers Charles Yamaguchi and Shinkichi, Takeo, Kiyoshi and Isamu Arakaki; sister Kimie Miyashiro; and one grandchild. Services: 6 p.m. Tuesday at Hosoi Mortuary. Call after 5 p.m. No flowers. Casual attire.

Gilbert Cardines Jr., 26, of Hilo, a laborer for California Hawaii Foliage growers, died Monday in Queen's Hospital. Born in Kau, he is survived by parents Gilbert and Angeline; sister Jennifer A.; brothers Michael and Shane; maternal grandfather George Quintal Sr.; maternal great-grandmother Lizzie Johanson; and paternal grandparents Richard and Celestina Alika. Services: 7 p.m. Monday at Glad Tidings Church on Kapiolani Street. Call after 6 p.m. Prayer service: 10 a.m. Tuesday at same church. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial to follow at Alae Cemetery. No flowers. Casual attire.

Hannah K.H. Ching, 83, of Honolulu, a retired state Department of Health employee, died Thursday in St. Francis Hospital. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by husband Richard; son Melvin; daughter Myrna Fong; brothers Charles, Walter and Albert Yap; sisters Alice Lau, Ruth Wong and Betty Mark; and two grandchildren. Services: 11 a.m. Thursday at Kalihi Union Church, 2214 N. King St. Call after 9:30 a.m. Burial: Diamond Head Memorial Park. Casual attire.

Howard B. Collins, 82, died Sunday in Seattle. Born in Minneapolis, he is survived by wife Marjorie “Peggy”; daughters Bonney Sue Godfrey, Cynthia A. Walker and Cathleen E. Elledge; son Howard Jr.; and four grandchildren. No flowers. Donations suggested to the Department of Athletics, Dick Gould Tennis Clubhouse Stanford, Calif. 94305-6150. Services on the mainland.

Nicole A.H. “Nikki” Driggs of Kailua is also survived by stepmother Ilse Taylor and grandmother Margret Bader. Additional information provided by family.

Roy C. Fontanilla, 87, of Honolulu, a retired chief cook at Halekulani Hotel, died Thursday in St. Francis Hospital. Born in the Philippines, he is survived by wife Elsie; sons Raymond, Stanley and Richard; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Services: 6 p.m. Tuesday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call after 5:30 p.m. Burial: 10 a.m. Wednesday at Hawaiian Memorial Park. Casual attire.

Pearl M.M. Kailieha-Sagario, 56, of Honolulu, a retired Amfac supervisor, died Monday at home. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by sons Philip and Peter; and brothers Benjamin Kailieha Jr. and Samuel Kailieha Sr. Services: 7 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. Friday at Kaumakapili Church. Call after 6 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. Friday. Burial: 11:30 a.m. at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl. Aloha attire.

Herbert T. Kuwahara, 61, of Kahului died Wednesday at home. Born in Kula, he is survived by wife Carol H.; son Bert; daughters Karen Core and Sharon Namauu; brothers Hiroshi and George; sister Beatrice Rohm; and four grandchildren. Services: 2 p.m. Sunday at Nakamura Mortuary. No flowers. Casual attire.

Hilda K.K. Mew, 94, of Honolulu died yesterday in Kuakini Hospital. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by sons Richard and Herbert; daughters Irene Siu, Betty Wung and Anita Chong; sister Beatrice Cornwell and Lily Chong; 17 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. Services: 10 a.m. Tuesday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Burial to follow. No flowers. Casual attire.

Thelma K. Miranda, 70, of Honolulu, a retired bus driver, died Saturday in Kuakini Hospital. She is survived by son Trask “Kalau” Miranda; daughters Thyra “Kanani” Miranda and Tane “Chi” Koahou; sister Edwina Hughes; and seven grandchildren. Service: 10 a.m. Sunday, Wahiawa Seventh Day Adventist Church, 1313 California Ave. Aloha/casual attire.

Adela S. Quisote, 88, of Honolulu died Tuesday in Kuakini Hospital. Born in the Philippines, she is survived by husband Cescen; sons Angel Quisote and Edward, Fulgencio and George Villaruel; daughter Rosalinda Contrades; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchil dren, and great-great-grandchildren. Services: 7 p.m. Monday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call after 6 p.m. Burial: 11 a.m. Tuesday at Hawaiian Memorial Park. Casual attire.

Walter A. Ragsdale Jr., 62, of Honolulu, a retired police lieutenant and consultant to Molokai Ranch, died Tuesday, in Queen's Hospital. He is survived by companion Carla L. Brede; sons Todd and Jody; daughters Patrice McCauley and Jeri; stepsons Chuck and Don Wilson; sisters Noelani delaCruz and Hiilani Henry; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Services: 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at Borthwick Mortuary. Call after 6 p.m. Molokai service: 11 a.m. Oct. 17 at Kalaikamanuhou. Call after 9 a.m. Internment to follow at Kapaakea Cemetery. Aloha attire.

Roman M. Resuello, 73, of Honolulu, a retired computer operator for the federal government, died Tuesday at home. Born in the Philippines, he is survived by wife Jacinta; daughter Jan; brothers Inzo and Sergio; and sisters Titang and Ampero Resuello, Mameng Sanchez and Conchita Rufo. Services: 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call after 6 p.m. Burial on the mainland. Aloha attire.

Cayetano B. Reyes, 90, of Papaaloa, Hawaii, a retired employee of the former Laupahoehoe Sugar Co., died yesterday at home. Born in La Union, the Philippines, he is survived by wife Mary K.; sons Malvin and Carl; daughters Fannie Narte and Catherine and Wini Reyes; and 11 grandchildren. Services: 1 p.m. Monday at Dodo Mortuary. Call after noon. Burial: Alae Cemetery. Casual attire.

Jean Rolingir, 67, of Kihei, Maui, owner and operator of Hoohale Haven, died Monday at home. Born in Duluth, Minn., she is survived by daughters Dawn, Cris and Carole Rominger; brother Richard Eiler; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. The family will gather at noon Sunday at Pacific Lawn (south end of Maui Prince Hotel). Leis and loose flowers accepted. Aloha attire. Donations suggested to Plumeria (hospice consignment shop), Maui Arts & Cultural Center or Maui Humane Society. The family encourages friends to bring their favorite food and drink to share and celebrate.

Natsuyo Tada, 92, of Kapaa, Kauai, a housewife, died Wednesday in Wilcox Hospital. Born in Hiroshima, she is survived by son Edward Tada; daughter Bernice Harada; brother Saburo Tanaka; sisters Yoshiko Kuratani, Lillian Nanbu and Jeanette Doi; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Service: 4 p.m. Sunday at the Kapaa Hongwanji Mission. No flowers. Casual attire.

Chew L. Wong, 99, of Honolulu will be remembered in a Taoist service 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday at Borthwick Mortuary. Burial: 1 p.m. at Manoa Cemetery. Additional information for an obituary yesterday provided by mortuary.

Ruth S. Yamamoto, 64, of Wahiawa, formerly employed as a secretary by Jim Matsuura Insurance Agency, died Tuesday in Kuakini Hospital. Born in Waialua, she is survived by mother Elsie S.; and sister Jean S. Tanabe. Services: 6 p.m. Monday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, Mauka Chapel. No flowers. Casual attire.