Terry Yamauchi
May 30, 1941 - Nov 5th, 2022- Birth Date: May 30, 1941
- Death Date: Nov 5, 2022
- Funeral Date: Dec 17, 2022, 11:00 am
- Location: Christ Episcopal Church, Little Rock, Arkansas
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Biography:
Terry Yamauchi, pediatrician, baseball and softball player, magician, fisherman, hunter and avid reader, was born on May 30, 1941 in Portland, Oregon and departed this life on November 5, 2022. He was the first born child of George K Yamauchi and Mari Yamauchi. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Pamela Torgerson and brother Joel Yamauchi. As a child during WWII, he and his mother were interned at the Japanese relocation camp in, Minidoka, Idaho, while his father was serving in Italy with the 442nd Battlement. His father was wounded in action and received a Purple Heart. At the same time, his grandfather was held at the internment camp in Jerome, Arkansas.
In his youth, he was proud to have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout at 13. He grew up in Portland, but had the opportunity to attend his first two years of high school in Japan, while his father was a United States Treasury Representative. Returning to Oregon, he finished high school in Portland and was Student Body president his senior year. He received his BS from Portland State University and was a 4 year baseball letterman and graduated cum laude from University of Oregon Medical School (now OHSU) in 1967 and was inducted into AOA honorary society his senior year. He did his post doctoral training in infectious diseases and microbiology at UCLA School of Medicine and upon completion of his fellowship, joined the faculty for three years, before coming to Arkansas to become the ninth faculty member at UAMS/ Arkansas Children’s Hospital. During his 40+ years at UAMS, he served as Associate Dean, Interim Chair of Pediatrics and Professor and Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Clinical Pharmacology for 30 of those years. During Governor Bill Clinton’s tenure, he was director of the Department of Human Services from 1990-92. He was also Inaugural Professor for the William J Clinton School of Public Service, a White House delegate to the World Health Organization, Associate Dean of Continuation Medical Education for Physicians and the Children’s Health Advisory Committee. He served on the boards of the Arkansas Department of Health, Arkansas Arts Center, Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care, Ronald McDonald House, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, National Board of Medical Examiners, Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families and the Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, among others.
While he authored over three hundred medical papers and book chapters, his true love was baseball and softball, where he had a lifetime of friends and companions and is in the Sports Hall of Fame at Portland State University and the Arkansas Softball Hall of Fame. In 2003, he was named Arkansas’ Mr Softball and in 2021 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award. He was a gregarious man with a delightful sense of humor who will be deeply missed by those who loved him.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Alison Yamauchi, daughter Jill Yamauchi Boswell (Dr CB Boswell), son Geoffrey Yamauchi and granddaughter Avery Alison Boswell.
We are especially grateful for the 24/7 care given by Master Sgt (Ret) Curtis Harris and his team, who gave Terry a seamless transition from this world to his pain free life with his angels.
Contributions in Terry’s memory may be made to the charity of your choice.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday December 17, 2022, at 11 a.m. in Christ Episcopal Church, Little Rock, AR. Baseball attire is encouraged. Following the service all are invited to enjoy ballpark refreshments at the reception. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com
In his youth, he was proud to have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout at 13. He grew up in Portland, but had the opportunity to attend his first two years of high school in Japan, while his father was a United States Treasury Representative. Returning to Oregon, he finished high school in Portland and was Student Body president his senior year. He received his BS from Portland State University and was a 4 year baseball letterman and graduated cum laude from University of Oregon Medical School (now OHSU) in 1967 and was inducted into AOA honorary society his senior year. He did his post doctoral training in infectious diseases and microbiology at UCLA School of Medicine and upon completion of his fellowship, joined the faculty for three years, before coming to Arkansas to become the ninth faculty member at UAMS/ Arkansas Children’s Hospital. During his 40+ years at UAMS, he served as Associate Dean, Interim Chair of Pediatrics and Professor and Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Clinical Pharmacology for 30 of those years. During Governor Bill Clinton’s tenure, he was director of the Department of Human Services from 1990-92. He was also Inaugural Professor for the William J Clinton School of Public Service, a White House delegate to the World Health Organization, Associate Dean of Continuation Medical Education for Physicians and the Children’s Health Advisory Committee. He served on the boards of the Arkansas Department of Health, Arkansas Arts Center, Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care, Ronald McDonald House, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, National Board of Medical Examiners, Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families and the Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, among others.
While he authored over three hundred medical papers and book chapters, his true love was baseball and softball, where he had a lifetime of friends and companions and is in the Sports Hall of Fame at Portland State University and the Arkansas Softball Hall of Fame. In 2003, he was named Arkansas’ Mr Softball and in 2021 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award. He was a gregarious man with a delightful sense of humor who will be deeply missed by those who loved him.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Alison Yamauchi, daughter Jill Yamauchi Boswell (Dr CB Boswell), son Geoffrey Yamauchi and granddaughter Avery Alison Boswell.
We are especially grateful for the 24/7 care given by Master Sgt (Ret) Curtis Harris and his team, who gave Terry a seamless transition from this world to his pain free life with his angels.
Contributions in Terry’s memory may be made to the charity of your choice.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday December 17, 2022, at 11 a.m. in Christ Episcopal Church, Little Rock, AR. Baseball attire is encouraged. Following the service all are invited to enjoy ballpark refreshments at the reception. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com
Condolences(25)
Reginald Rogers
#25
Dec 15th, 2022 1:39 pm
Alison and the Yamauchi Family: I am one of the attorneys for the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH). Dr. Yamauchi provided outstanding service to the people of the State of Arkansas as a Board Member of the State Board of Health for many years. He was always willing to serve on various Board committees. Dr. Yamauchi was elected and served as the State Board of Health President a few years ago. His wisdom and leadership cannot be overstated. He also kept his sense of humor through difficult and challenging issues. May he rest in the Peace of Christ with all of our Loved Ones. Reg Rogers Arkansas Department of Health
Kenan Keyes
#24
Dec 12th, 2022 3:31 pm
Dear Alison, I am so saddened to hear about Terry's death. I lost Griff this summer after almost 51 years of marriage, so I have an inkling of what you are going through. I treasure our times of volunteering on the different Winthrop P Rockefeller Cancer Institute committees and being with the two of you at the WPRCI events. What a team you were. I will be praying for a supernatural peace that passes all understanding.
Robert Buchmann
#23
Dec 11th, 2022 10:32 pm
I am sad to hear about this. Sending my love and condolences to Alison and family.
Chad Rodgers
#22
Dec 8th, 2022 10:38 pm
Dr Yamauchi was simply the best. He was my attending when I was a Junior Medical Student. He always rounded with the team, but he would also make time to round with just the students. He was fun and funny. A great pediatrician and teacher. An encourager. When I was Chief Resident, he was always a champion for the residents. After I finished, I always loved seeing him and his beautiful wife at events supporting shared passions usually benefiting the arts and/or children. He was a great man. He will be greatly missed.
Frank Cox
#21
Dec 8th, 2022 9:12 pm
Dr. Yamauchi gave us such valuable counsel 30 years ago regarding our son who was diagnosed with OCD. We loved him, his wife, and Geoffrey. RIP, Terry.
Joel Anderson
#20
Nov 27th, 2022 5:02 pm
Every community has a shortage of citizens like Dr. Yamauchi. He was an outstanding professional in his chosen field. He also took great interest in and contributed in numerous ways to the community in which he lived.
John and Grace Steuri
#19
Nov 27th, 2022 3:47 pm
What a great father, husband, physician, medical
consultant, community leader and oh so many other accolades for his positive impact on our community.
Our condolences to his wife and family.
John & Grace Steuri
consultant, community leader and oh so many other accolades for his positive impact on our community.
Our condolences to his wife and family.
John & Grace Steuri
Gail and Larry Pittman
#18
Nov 25th, 2022 12:07 am
Dear Alison, Jill and Geoffrey. Reading over Terry’s life and achievements was so enlightening. To us he was our amazing cousin that we would never have imagined wouldn’t be around smiling and playing with the children at the Yamauchi family reunions. We are so very sad for your loss. We are sending our love and prayers.
Cindy McKinnis
#17
Nov 20th, 2022 8:52 pm
My sincere condolences Jill to you and your family.
Terry Harville
#16
Nov 18th, 2022 3:50 pm
I am so saddened to learn of this. Terry recruited me to come to ACH in 1999...I always appreciated his mentorship!
Roy Morello
#15
Nov 18th, 2022 3:09 pm
Dear Alison, Kim and I are saddened by this news and send you our sympathy and love to you and your family.
Daniel Koehler Sr
#14
Nov 14th, 2022 11:15 am
A true-blue friend for 30 years. Honest, generous, and loyal. Wonderful sense of humor. Splendid disposition. We played baseball, fished, and toured many a casino together. He saved my ten-year old son's life in 1995. Good night sweet prince. May choirs of angels singe thee to thy rest.
The Torgerson Family
#13
Nov 11th, 2022 11:05 am
We were very saddened to have heard the news of Terry's passing. He was an amazing person with an incredibly kind heart and wonderful sense of humor. We are thinking of the family and sending you our love. - Erik, Stephani, Mari and Riley
LaJuana and Woody Whyte
#12
Nov 9th, 2022 7:01 pm
Oh Allison, I am so very sorry for you loss. `Thinking of you and your family and wishing you comfort and peace.
Robert W Bradsher
#11
Nov 8th, 2022 8:17 pm
What a wonderful colleague. He taught many of us how to be an infectious diseases physician. We will miss him.
Terry Payton
#10
Nov 8th, 2022 5:53 pm
As a pediatric resident at ACH from 1980-1983, I was privileged to work with Dr. Yamauchi in many ways with many families and patients. He was the epitome of the caring patient centered physician. Wonderful mentor and teacher for all of us new doctors in the residency program. It is an honor to have been his friend since then. He will be much missed. Many condolences to his family.
Nancy Tucker
#9
Nov 8th, 2022 3:31 pm
Very sad to hear of Dr Yamauchi’s death. What a brilliant man who gave his all to many ID patients. He was an amazing boss and I have fond memories of working with him at Arkansas Children’s. Rest In Peace, Terry!
Evelyn Moore
#8
Nov 8th, 2022 10:09 am
My condolences to the family. I worked with his son and use to hear his father give medical advice on FM100.9
Jimmy Martin
#7
Nov 8th, 2022 7:32 am
It is not possible to total the number of lives Terry touched. I met him through softball and the experience was on. I wish the family, and all the rest of us peace. Terry will be sorely missed.
Janice White
#6
Nov 7th, 2022 7:59 am
Alison - I am so very, very sad to learn of Terry’s death. I enjoyed the time I had so many years ago working for him at ACH. I will be lifting up prayers for comfort, strength, and peace for you and your family during this time of your grief.
Angela Sewall
#5
Nov 7th, 2022 7:43 am
I am so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you all at this difficult time.
Becky Lamb
#4
Nov 7th, 2022 7:42 am
My prayers for the family. I was blessed to have known Terry. He was one in a billion!
Becky Lamb
Becky Lamb
Amy Coates Stockinger
#3
Nov 6th, 2022 9:54 pm
What an incredible human. Jill and family - I’m so sorry for your loss. Lots of love, Amy
Stephanie Stovall
#2
Nov 6th, 2022 9:51 pm
Much love and condolences to your family. Dr. Yamauchi was one of my mentors in my early faculty years at ACH. I moved on but never forgot his wisdom. I still have a pen he gave me with a card on my desk - it’s moved to every new office with me. He was a great man, a great doctor and touched many lives.
Tanya Hogan
#1
Nov 6th, 2022 6:54 pm
I was so sad to hear the passing of Dr. Yamauchi. He was a great man and friend. He will be deeply missed. The world has lost one of the good ones. Prayers for the family.