On December 21, 2022, longtime JANM Volunteer Frank Kikuchi passed away in his sleep.
Born in Seattle on October 21, 1924, he was incarcerated at the Manzanar concentration camp. After the war, Frank relocated to the Los Angeles neighborhood of Boyle Heights and started a family with his wife Tama. They had five children together and were married for 56 years until Tama died in 2004.
Frank started his own market called F and H Market and volunteered at JANM as a docent. When he was not busy giving tours and educating others about the history of Japanese Americans, he loved spending time with his children and going fishing.
Rafu Shimpo obituary on Francis “Frank” Isamu Kikuchi
“The Power of a Story: Intern Learns Importance of Personal Histories” by Elizabeth Ishida
“Nikkei Album: Frank Kikuchi” by Elizabeth Ishida
“My E.O. 9066 Stories: Frank Kikuchi, Manzanar DJ” by Amy Uyematsu
I loved Frank. I interviewed him many times in 2019 and early 2020 about his experiences in Manzanar and about Ralph Lazo. He was a delightful man. I’m so proud that I had the honor of knowing him.
Nice article. Hope to see more soon.
Frank was the bomb. I spoke with him on multiple occasions in 2019 and early 2020 regarding Ralph Lazo and his stay at Manzanar. What a charming guy. Having the privilege of knowing him fills me with immense pride.
Frank was the bomb. I spoke with him on multiple occasions in 2019 and early 2020 regarding Ralph Lazo and his stay at Manzanar. What a charming guy. Having the privilege of knowing him fills me with immense pride.
It is with great sadness that JANM Volunteer passed away. My condolences to the family.
Thank you for your dedication to sharing history and inspiring future generations
The passing of Frank Kikuchi truly marks the end of an era. His life story, from the incarceration at Manzanar to establishing a business and dedicating time to educate others about Japanese American history, embodies resilience and commitment to community. It’s
Frank Kikuchi’s dedication truly shone through! Volunteering, a beautiful act of selfless service. A life dedicated to sharing history, what a legacy. Thinking about commitment, it makes you wonder what drove him. It is sad. Makes me reflect on community and giving back. Once, I struggled organizing a local fundraiser, balancing tasks felt like navigating the chaotic world of Slither io. We eventually streamlined the process with better communication and delegation.
Thinking about commitment, it makes you wonder what drove him. It is sad. Makes me reflect on community and giving back. Once, I struggled organizing a local fundraiser, balancing tasks felt like navigating the chaotic world of Slither io. We eventually streamlined the process with better communication and delegation.