Obituaries

Saturday, January 23, 1999

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Robert Stach, 51, directed premiere run of ‘Lili‘uokalani’

By Harold Morse, Star-Bulletin

Robert Stach, 51, of Kaimuki, a drama teacher known locally for both directing plays and musicals and performing in them, died Monday.

A native of Denver, he lived in Greeley, Colo., from 1966 to 1982, earning bachelor's and master's degrees there in theater arts. He taught at Greeley where he also was active in theater.

His teaching career in Hawaii included time at St. Andrew's Priory and Epiphany Elementary and Hawaii Tokai International College, where his duties included teaching English as a second language. Active with Honolulu Community Theater, Manoa Valley Theatre, Diamond Head Community Theater and others, his productions included “Annie,” “Nuts” and “Nunsense.”

His best-known work, however, was as director of the premiere run of “Lili‘uokalani.”

Additionally, he was a director of Paokalani Productions and a past director of the Honolulu Boy Choir. His acceptance of the choir post was praised by Blake Nuibe, choir general manager.

“Bob strives for excellence in everything he does,” Nuibe said. “He believes in discipline and looks forward to upholding the character, integrity and reputation that are the legacies of the choir.”

Star-Bulletin writer Pierre Bowman called Stach a justified optimist who came to Hawaii in 1982 fully expecting to be a success.

“He sold almost everything he owned in Colorado, packed what was left in three suitcases and moved to Hawaii -- to make a living in the theater,” Bowman said.

Stach is survived by parents Thomas and Betty Stach, brother Cory and sister Susan Leyba.

A memorial service takes place at 7 p.m. Monday at Hawaii Tokai International College Auditorium. Casual attire requested. No flowers.

Donations may be made to the Robert Stach Memorial Scholarship, c/o University of Northern Colorado Foundation, Greeley, CO 80639.

John S. Botelho, 98, of Honolulu died Jan. 8. Born in Honuapo, Hawaii, he is survived by sons J. Stanley and Don, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Private services.

Mathew A. Cabot, 89, of Rockland, Maine, operator of Matt Cabot Associates, Electrical Engineers & Consultants, died Thursday in Penobscot Bay Hospital. He was also a watercolor artist. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he is survived by wife Nancy, daughters Nancy Cabot and Kathleen Shoemaker, son Mathew Jr., eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Services on the mainland. No flowers. Donations suggested to Rockland Rotary Club Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1811, Rockland, ME 04841.

Agatona R. Caliedo, 76, of Honolulu died Sunday in St. Francis-West Hospice. Born in Cebu City, the Philippines, she is survived by husband William; daughters Zenaida Flauta, Rosalind Magnaye, Maria R. Saramosing, Ana Tomas and Lily Gelacio; sons Wilfredo, William Jr. and Sani; brother Florencio Rigodon; 25 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. Wake services: 8 p.m. Tuesday at Mililani Downtown Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Mass: 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, 712 N. School St. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples.

Robert E. Daley, 79, of Kailua, a retired property manager, died yesterday in Honolulu. Born in Ohio, he is survived by wife Margaret; sons Robert E. Jr., John M., Stephen T. and Christopher P.; daughter Margaret D. Pesta; brothers Dr. James, Don, Charles, Jack and Bill; sister Betty; 13 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Private services.

Charlotte Derosa, 57, of Honolulu, a retired supervisor for Al Phillips the Cleaner, died Jan. 6. Born in Hawaii, she is survived by sister Beatrice Toohey, brother Joseph Quintal and godfather James Botelho. Private services.

Woodrow W. Howell, 80, of Honolulu, a retired chief petty officer for the U.S. Navy, died Tuesday in Honolulu. Born in Levelview, Texas, he is survived by wife Elizabeth A., son Kanani, sister Onia L. Witty and brother Henry M. Services: 12:30 p.m. Thursday at St. Theresa's Church. Call after 11:30 a.m. Burial: Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. Casual attire. No flowers. Donations suggested to St. Francis Hospice.

Stanley S. Irinaka, 67, of Honolulu, a retired warehouseman for Meadow Gold Dairies, died Thursday in Kaiser Permanente Hospital. Born in North Hilo, he is survived by wife Eunice, son Leith, brothers Masayuki “Mack” and Hitoshi, and two grandchildren. Memorial services: 8 p.m. Wednesday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Call after 7 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.

Yoshikazu Kansako, 86, of Honomu, Hawaii, a retired supervisor for the former Mauna Kea Sugar Co., died last Saturday in Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Honomu, Hawaii, he is survived by son Richard; daughters Hatsuko Ishii, Toshie Shirota, Hatsumi Kanellos and Sadako Hashimoto; 12 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Private services.

Larry K. Kiyabu, 77, of Honolulu, a retired electrician for Halfhill Electrical Co., died Thursday in Kuakini Hospital. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by wife Edith; son Kerry; daughters Pamela Kohara and Sharon Katahira; sisters Matsue Haijima, Yukiko Uyeda and Masako Sakata; and six grandchildren. Memorial services: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Nuuanu Memorial Park Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.

Kenji “Kuni” Kuniyoshi, 66, of Pearl City, a retired ironworker, died last Saturday in Kapiolani Hospital at Pali Momi. Born in Waipahu, he is survived by wife Linda M., sons Marc I. and Ross Y., parents Yoshio and Misao, brothers Mamo and Haruo, and a grandchild. Memorial services: 11:45 a.m. Wednesday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call after 10:45 a.m. Inurnment: Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire. No flowers.

John F. “Mac” McNeely, 57, of Pearl City, a retired sergeant major for the U.S. Army, died Sunday at home. Born in Atlanta, he is survived by mother Edith, daughter Karen Y. Bushaw, son S. Kawika and three grandchildren. Services: 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call from noon to 1:45 p.m. Inurnment: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl. No flowers.

Lawrence M. Monma, 77, died Tuesday in Tacoma, Wash. Born in Kailua, he is survived by wife Erika, son Clyde L., daughter Charmaine L., sister Alice and brother Harry. No services.

Masakiyo Muronaga, 81, of Kaneohe, a retired baker for Kamehameha Schools, died last Saturday in Kailua. Born on Maui, he is survived by son Ronald, daughter Jean Ooka, brother Seiichi, sister Tamae Fujitani, five grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Services: 10 a.m. Wednesday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park. Aloha attire. No flowers.

Janet K. Obata, 62, of Honolulu died Jan. 13 in Kaiser Hospital. Born in Ewa, she is survived by husband Walter Y., son Robin K., daughter Juslyn S. Askren, brother Robert T. Abe, sister Edith C. Tatemichi and a grandchild. Memorial services: 7 p.m. Monday at First Assembly of God, 3400 Moanalua Road, Red Hill, next to Kaiser Hospital. Call after 6 p.m. Call again after 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire.

Se Choong Oh, 81, of Honolulu died Wednesday in Kuakini Hospital. Born in Kang Won-Do, Korea, he is survived by wife Ok Sung; sons Nam Ki, Harry and Henry; daughters Alice Hong, Heung Soon, Heung Sook, Koon Ja and Patricia Oh; and 12 grandchildren. Services: 10 a.m. Tuesday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park.

Crescen C. “Chris” Quisote, 94, of Honolulu, a retired chef, died last Saturday in Pearl City Nursing Home. Born in the Philippines, he is survived by children Edward, Paul and George Villaruel, Rose Contrades and Angel Quisote; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and great-great-grandchildren. Services: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Mililani Downtown Mortuary. Call after 9:30 a.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park. Casual attire.

Carlton P.E. “Kai” Rapozo, 29, of Federal Way, Wash., a corporal for the U.S. Marine Corps, died Wednesday in Tacoma, Wash. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by wife Jill; son Elias K.; daughter Taylor M.; father Charles M.W.; mother Roella; brother Wilson; sisters Billie Jean Machado and Sheldene and Catherine Rapozo; and grandparents William and Mary Soon. Memorial services: 5 p.m. Tuesday at Kamehameha Schools. Services: 9:30 a.m. Thursday at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Pukalani Ward. Call after 8 a.m. Burial: Makawao Veterans Cemetery.

Esteban T. Sembre, 91, of Waipahu died Jan. 14 in St. Francis-West Hospital. Born in Tarlac, the Philippines, he is survived by daughter Mary Jane. Wake services: 7 p.m. Monday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Mass: 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Joseph's Church, 94-675 Farrington Highway. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire.

Angelita J. Supnet-Lagua, infant daughter of Joseph Pedro and Paz Lagua, died Jan. 15. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by grandfather Jose Supnet and grandmother Casamira Lagua. Private services.

Asao Takara, 85, of Honolulu is sur vived by sister Ruby F. Jitchaku. Incorrect information for an obituary published Thursday provided by the mortuary.

Howard T. Takata,86, of Honolulu, a retired boat carpenter with Hawaiian Tuna Packers, died Jan. 9 in St. Francis Hospice. He was born in Kobe, Japan. He is survived by wife Elsie, son Mitchell, daughter Margo Handshy and two grandchildren. Private services.

Grace K. Ua, 72, of Hilo died Wednesday in Hilo Hospital. Born in Papaikou, Hawaii, she is survived by sons Kamuela, Elia and David Ua and Kealii Joy; daughters Hope Kealoha and Hauoli Freeman; brother Harold “Kanak” Kauhi; sisters Minnie Kaawaloa, Lei Leopoldo and Paulle Ua; 13 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Services: 10 a.m. Tuesday at Dodo Mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Casual attire.

George Vega, 80, of Honolulu died Thursday in Straub Hospital. Born on Maui, he is survived by wife Amparo and sons George G. and Wilfred. Services: 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Burial: Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. Casual attire.

Richard Windham, 73, of Honolulu, a retired boiler-room engineer for Maluhia Hospital, died Tuesday in Honolulu. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by wife Mary Samio; son Richard Jr.; daughters Donna K. Dufva, Sandra K. Hershey, June L. Melendez, Victoria L. Bishop, Trudy Ramsey and Judy Dixon; 19 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren. Mass: 10:30 a.m. Monday at Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, 712 N. School St. Call after 9:30 a.m. Cremation to follow. Casual attire. No flowers.

Samuel M. Yamamoto, 66, of Honolulu, formerly of Chicago, a Midway Airport Concessionaire food and beverage controller, died last Saturday at home. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by sisters Florence H. Aihara, Grace F. Yagi, Catherine N. Nakata and Lois E. Oshiro. Services: 6 p.m. Wednesday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.