Yasushi Iseda
Type of Donation:
Age and Location: Age 80 – Casablanca, Riverside, California
Date of Transplant: 2/8/21
Sponsor: Honored by OneLegacy
YASUSHI’S STORY
A person like Yasushi "Yash" Iseda is rare. The epitome of a man who wasn't afraid to dream, believe, and achieve in all aspects of life. Yash served as a father, teacher, mentor, and good friend to many. Always giving, helping, striving for better, thinking of others, and caring. His life is a true reflection of the "American Dream", he overcame obstacles, hardships, and was able to enjoy the fruits of all of his hard work. His easy-going nature was reflected in his caring and giving spirit which he carried on even after he passed, at which point he continued to give, by being a tissue donor through the Donate Life program.
From very humble beginnings, Yasushi "Yash" Iseda, was born and raised in Casablanca, Riverside, California to Japanese immigrant parents. The youngest of eight children, he and his family were sent to an internment camp in Poston, Arizona. Yash did not allow this event to define him or his future. If anything he turned and utilized it as motivation to work harder and provide a great life to his two children.
In high school he became an accomplished football player. Football served as his motivation and means to continue to play at Riverside Community College, where he would receive a football scholarship to play and attend Cal State Long Beach. After graduating, he began a successful 34 year teaching career in Physical Education and Industrial Arts for Garden Grove School District. During some summer months he would work at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall teaching/impacting the detained youth.
Yash had many different interests throughout his lifetime. To name a few: sailing, creating beautiful leaded-glass windows, wood carving, swimming daily, flying fishing, fly tying, and gardening (raising orchids, hybrid fuchsias, and plumerias). He loved to share his flower clippings with neighbors and friends, would make special stained glass pieces for friends, and would share his extensive fly fishing knowledge with all those who would listen. Yash was once quoted as saying, "After crewing on big sailboats for 15 years, the rigors of sailing were taking a toll on me physically. I decided that it was time to find a new activity to keep me busy. I have always been a bait fisherman, but fly fishing fascinated me. That decision opened the world of fly fishing for me. That was the beginning of long friendships with those I consider my mentors." Yash was an active member of the Long Beach Casting Club for 20 years, even serving as the president. A club member was quoted, "I am saddened to hear about Yash's passing, Yash has definitely had a positive impact on so many."
Yash had a giving disposition about him, always thinking of others first. He was always willing to help out, wherever he was needed and if he couldn't do it, he would help find someone who could. Yash would even help strangers who he met on the river and by giving them flies or rigs to fish with. A consummate teacher of the knowledge he had and always willing to share his gifts with everyone.
Without any knowledge of the path that lay before us in managing the passing of our father, the One Legacy program has exceeded our expectations in the supportive materials we received in the mail, the online support groups offered, we simply found some comfort in knowing there was an abundance of resources available to us.The One Legacy program offered unparalleled support with their aftercare program to our family that remains to this day.
Our dad will be dearly missed and while we can't replicate his achievements, we can exemplify his values and his generosity. The Iseda family knows that Yash would have been very proud of the certificate he received for being a donor and would be honored at the opportunity to help represent Donate Life on the 2024 Rose Parade float. Allowing his life to serve as a positive role model of a Japanese man from humble beginnings, who made a positive impact on those around him and lived an amazing life of kindness and generosity.