Long-time resident of Saratoga Henry Yamate ’52 passed away on December 10, 2020. He was born in Monterey, California, and was the eldest of three children born to Takenori and Misao Yamate. In response to the relocation order for persons of Japanese descent in 1942, Henry and his family moved to Rocky Ford, Colorado, and returned to the Santa Clara Valley after WWII ended. Henry was an accomplished tennis player, earning him a scholarship to attend Santa Clara University, where he graduated with a degree in accounting. He became a certified public accountant, and was founder and board member of San Jose Savings & Loan Association and American Bank & Trust.
Throughout his professional life and in retirement, Henry served on numerous boards of nonprofit, educational and charitable institutions, including the Santa Clara University Board of Regents, the Good Samaritan Hospital, the Buddhist Churches of America Endowment Foundation, the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin, the Hakone Foundation, and the Yu Ai Kai Japanese American Community Senior Service. Henry is survived by his daughter and son, Gordon Yamate J.D. ’80, and two grandchildren.