OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Board of Directors of Summit Bank is saddened to announce that Director Kikuo Nakahara passed away on Tuesday October 30th. Kikuo was an integral part of the growth and development of Summit Bancshares, Inc. and Summit Bank. Kikuo was a founding member of the Board of Directors and was Chairman of the Audit Committee for 36 years.
Kikuo Nakahara was born in Kurtistown, Hawaii on May 13, 1932. He served in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1953. Following his service, he attended and graduated from Golden Gate University in San Francisco. He returned to the Islands and started his career as a Certified Public Accountant in Honolulu. In the early 1960s, he moved back to California – this time with his wife and infant son in tow – and started what would be a successful 40+ year private practice based in Oakland, and then later in Walnut Creek.
Kikuo was a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Hawaii Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the California Society of Certified Public Accountants.
He was a proud and active member of the Japanese American community and served as director for the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) Health Benefits Trust.
A marathoner, golfer and wine connoisseur, Kikuo loved traveling to his two favorite destinations: Hawaii and California’s wine country. He loved sharing the beauty of both locations with friends and family and those he met along the way.
Kikuo is preceded in death by his wife Jeanette, and survived by his loving companion Carol Rowley, his son Eric Nakahara (Debbi Nakahara), daughter Julie Kertes (Kevin Kertes) and grandchildren Megan, Phoebe, Mitchell and Avery.
A private service will be held.
Should friends desire memorial contributions may be sent to Summit Bank Foundation, 2969 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94611.