In Loving Memory of Kenji Tateishi

Hello all, it is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I have to share this emotional and unexpected news with everyone who was an important part of my father's life.

My father, Kenji Tateishi (age 60), passed away the morning of 2/16/24. He has decided to take his own life away at his favorite camping spot in Lancaster. This was a place that meant a lot for him because he spent a lot of time with his close friends there, and it was also a place where he would sit in solitude to reflect on his life.

Talking to his close friends here and family in Japan, sorting through his personal belongings, and tracing his last few days of him being alive, I've been able to piece together his struggles and pain that may have led to his decision to commit suicide. But no one will ever know the real truth of why. To think about him sitting in the desert alone at this campground is very heartbreaking. I ask myself, "What was on his mind a few minutes before his death? Was he crying? How did he come to this decision? How hopeless he must have felt. Wasn't there anything else that could have changed his mind?" When I think about his last moment on earth, I can't help but cry and ruminate on all the what-if's. And I'm sure a lot of his friends and family are grieving as well.

My father was the kind of guy who would drop everything to go help out a friend in need, even if he didn't have much. His presence would always light up the room because he was very fun, bubbly, and charismatic. As his daughter, grieving his death now, I'm recognizing more that I possess both his good and flawed traits. And I've come to this place of understanding and acceptance that these qualities make us both uniquely imperfect. Because of him, I strongly believe that life is about seeking out human connections and building meaningful relationships with them. For that, I am forever grateful that I turned out like him.

With that said, I want to honor his life and all of the amazing memories I have of him by planning a memorial service once his cremation is done, and inviting the people who meant a lot to him and who will miss him dearly. Because this happened so suddenly, I need help to put together a service that would best honor him. I would like to raise money for his memorial service expenses. I am planning to rent out a venue that is meaningful to him where all of his close friends and families can gather, eat his favorite food, play his favorite music, share their favorite memories of him, and have our final farewell to my father. Any support you may be able to provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your kindness!!

UPDATE: the date of his memorial service will be 4/27/24. Location, time, and details to follow soon. Thank you very much for your patience!