Message from Prof. Gundersen

Messages to Share with the Yocom Family (Wed, 26 Nov 2003 15:47:12 -0800 (PST))

Dear TIUA Friends, If you or others that you contact would like to send a message via email to forward to the Yocom family, especially Mrs. Yocom ("Libby"), please do so.  If you do, please send the message to me, Masaki Shimada, and Toru Tanabe.  We will compile all of the messages together to give to the family. The email addresses are: ggunders@willamette.edu mshimada@willamette.edu ttanabe@willamette.edu Also, I still plan on being at TIU on December 6, so I will see some of you and I can pick up messages at that time as well. I will be taking a late night flight out of Tokyo that night (Saturday) so I can arrive in Salem by 11-12 pm on Saturday. Unfortunately, I won't be able to spend time with alumni that evening, except at the TIU reception. However, I'm glad I found a way to get back to Oregon before the memorial service. Please forward this message to any and all TIUA friends. Thanks, Gunnar p.s. We are discussing possible memorial gifts to be given in honor of Buzz. We are consulting with Chancellor Kaneko and also with the Yocom family. As soon as we learn more, I'll pass on the word. By the way, two people from TIU will be coming for the memorial, one of the Vice Presidents (Prof. Takahashi or Prof. Endo) and Professor Inazumi. These people were all well known and, in the case of Professor Inazumi, very close to Buzz.

Sad News about Buzz Yocom (Tue, 25 Nov 2003 16:16:33 -0800 (PST))

Dear TIUA Friends, It is with a heavy heart that I share with you the news that Mr. Richard A. "Buzz" Yocom died this past Saturday, November 22, 2003. Buzz had suffered for several years with a rapidly advancing case of Alzheimer's disease.  This is a disease of the nervous system, with a major symptom being the loss of memory.  Buzz was 76 years old. I know everyone will miss Buzz very much.  He was a special man.  His love for Willamette, TIU, and TIUA students had no limits.  It was chiefly because of Buzz that the relationship between Willamette and TIU developed so deeply.  He was also the key person to help establish TIUA.  His commitment to international education and his positive outlook on life touched thousands of lives and helped open doors for countless students over the course of many decades.  His passing will be felt broadly all around the world. There will be a memorial service for Buzz on Sunday, December 7, at 2:00 pm in Cone Chapel of Willamette University.  Of course, the Faculty and Staff of TIUA will attend.  I hope to attend but I will be on a short trip to Japan (TIU) until December 7.  In any case, my family will be attending the memorial service. If you want to send cards or messages to Mrs. Yocom and the family, you can do so directly to their home address: Elizabeth (Libby) Yocom 3600 Augusta National Dr., S., Salem, OR 97302 Charles Wallace, the Willamette Chaplain (Minister), indicates that he will inform us later about any plans for memorial gifts - after he has a chance to talk with Mrs. Yocom. Kaneko Educational Foundation, TIU, and TIUA are planning to make a contribution to one or more memorial gift funds in honor of the extraordinary contribution Buzz has made to all of our lives. I know the Yocom family would love to hear from the alumni.  Please do not hesitate to write to them. I have no way to send this message to everyone who should know.  Please pass on this news to others with whom you have contact. Please take care and stay in touch, Gunnar