Nobuo Watanabe's Obituary
Nobuo Watanabe
May 2, 1931 – February 19, 2016
Resident of Walnut Creek
Nobuo was born in Sacramento. He was the oldest of 4 siblings. He attended grammar school in a 2 room school house in Newcastle, California. From 1942 to 1945 he and his family were forced to be interned at the Tule Lake Relocation Center. He graduated from Placer Union High School in Auburn. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he was stationed in North Africa before receiving an honorable discharge in 1952. He graduated with a B.A. degree from the University of California at Berkeley in 1957. He later went on to earn his Masters degree from Cal State Hayward. In 1959 he married Mary Kanagaki and continued this romance for 56 years and together raised their son Ward. Nobuo worked for 8 years as a elementary school teacher for the Oakland and Mt. Diablo school districts. He retired in 1992 after working 11 years as the Director of Curriculum of the Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools office.
During his retirement he enjoyed golfing, fishing and traveling. He enjoyed the simple celebration of cooking and drinking wine with family and friends.
He is survived by his wife Mary, son Ward, daughter in-law Gillian and grand daughters Alexis and Devin.
He was a tremendous husband, father, grandfather and friend. His sense of humor, generosity and kindness will be greatly missed by all.
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