In Memoriam: Kenneth Nakao '62 and Alfred Nakao '61

Twins Kenneth S. Nakao '62 and Alfred S. Nakao '61 died nine days apart, Dec. 14 for Kenneth and Dec. 25 for Alfred. 

They were born in March 1939 in San Jose, Calif., to Kenj and Chizuko Nakao. In 1942 they had to leave the farm in California, along with brother Calvin, born in 1941, and taken to the Santa Anita Race Track, and then to Heart Mountain, Wyo., internment camp for the duration of World War II. When they were released to start over in 1946, they went to Weiser, Idaho, to work where the Uchiyama Family was farming.

The Uchiyama Family also had a farm on Winters Road in Cornelius, Ore. In 1948 Kenji and Chizuko were able to purchase an adjacent 71-acre property that had been logged of old growth timber. The boys worked with their parents to clear the land without heavy equipment, and they built a house.

The parents considered education for their children to be of the greatest importance. They attended Cornelius Grade school and Forest Grove High school graduating in 1957. They were the only Asian students attending at that time. Both entered Pacific University, though Alfred later transferred. After graduation, they went to dental school at what is now OHSU. They then both went into the U.S. Army in 1966 and discharged in 1968 as Captains.

After serving in the military, they established a dental office in Hillsboro, though Alfred also worked part time in Portland. 

Kenneth and Alfred Nakao are survived by their brother, Calvin Y. Nakao and sister-in-law, Kay; many cousins and good friends.