Stanley Waldo Abe

On April 11, 2022, Stanley W Abe transitioned to the next life in Laguna Hills, CA. Dad died from natural causes surrounded by three of his children. Dad was born February 4, 1932 in Santa Cruz, CA to Sakai Frank and Toku Tojio Abe. Dad’s parents were born in Fukushima City, Japan. Dad was the youngest of 4 children; Frances, William “Bill” and Donald “Don”, all deceased. In September 1942, Dad and his family were interned in a Japanese Internment Camp in Poston, AZ. Dad’s brothers, Bill and Don both opted out of camp and served the Army’s segregated 442nd Regimental Combat Team in Europe – the most decorated unit in the history of US Military. Upon exiting the Internment Camp in June 1945, Dad’s family moved to Seabrook, NJ to resume his father’s work as a farmer. Dad served in the Navy from Sept 1950 until his honorable discharge in July 1954, where he served as a radar man, second class on a US Destroyer. Via the GI Bill, Dad attended DeVry Institute in Chicago, Il and graduated in Aug 1956. Dad married the love of his life, Patricia Akiko Kawanaga in Chicago, Il on Nov 30, 1957. Shortly after the birth of their first child, Kathleen - Dad, Mom and baby Kathleen jumped into a small sports car and moved to San Diego, CA. California was Dad’s home until the time of his death. The bulk of his professional career was spent at TRW. Dad was a safety systems engineer, working on the Apollo missions and the Challenger Space Crafts. Dad retired at 60 years old, and spent the time traveling the Western US with Mom and the youngest, Tani in their RV. Dad shared with his family his love of trout fishing and was also an avid golfer. Mom passed away on March 6, 2004. Throughout Mom’s battle with Parkinson’s and Lung Cancer, Dad was at Mom’s side and served selflessly as her primary caregiver at their Irvine home until the time of her death. Dad is survived by his children, Kathleen, Stan Jr, Matthew and Tani and their respective families. Kathleen’s family includes: her husband Rick; Roxanne and her husband Delano; Ryan and his fiancé Sarah; and Rachel, and her husband Grant and their son, Sebastian (Dad’s great grandson). Stan Jr’s family includes his wife, Karri and their daughter Samantha. Matthew’s family includes his wife Aileen. Tani’s family includes: her fiancé Loren, and her children Hana, Kyle and Hayli. Through the end of Dad’s life, he was surrounded by all of his family. Whereas the loss of our Father is heartbreaking, we are all relieved in knowing that Dad is with Mom in Heaven. May God bless his soul and provide him eternal life in his kingdom. We love you Dad! See you and Patsy in the next life.