Walter Hiroshi Nakashima

November 4, 1939 – January 29, 2026

A Journey of Purpose

Walter Hiroshi Nakashima passed away peacefully at home on January 29, 2026. Born on November 4,

1939, in Kahuku, Hawaii, he was the youngest of eleven children born to

Masataro and Asano Nakashima. After moving to Puunui at age seven and graduating from Farrington

High School in 1957, Walter served four years in the United States Air Force. His service took him

across the country, from basic training in Texas and firefighting school in Colorado to two years

stationed in Alaska and a final year in Florida.

A Life Built by Hand

In 1965, Walter moved to Los Angeles, where he initially worked as a plumber. A man of steady

focus, he later pursued higher education as a mechanical engineer and began a career in the

aerospace industry. While Walter was a man of few words, his craftsmanship spoke for him. He was a

dedicated woodworker whose love for his family was built into the very furniture they used; the

desk and twin bed frame he meticulously crafted, and now

used by his grandchildren, serve as lasting reminders of his devotion.

Family and Faithfulness

In October 1966, Walter met Gloria Iha. They married on June 10, 1967, embarking on a

fifty-eight-year partnership where Gloria served as the heart of the family and Walter as its

silent pillar. In their early years, they explored the beauty of the American West and Mexico,

visiting various National Parks. Together, they shared a love for the arts and sports, holding

season tickets at the Redondo Beach and Long Beach Performing Art Centers, as well as for the

soccer team, the LA Galaxy.

Walter’s dedication was most evident in his roles as a Scoutmaster for his son’s Boy Scout Troop

728 and as a soccer coach for his twin daughters. He found his own joy in bowling, fishing, and

deer hunting in Utah with his brother.

A Lasting Legacy

Walter’s pride and joy were found in the flourishing lives of his children and grandchildren. His

spirit and values live on through, his wife, Gloria Nakashima, his son, Wesley, and daughter-in-law

Adrienne (Lao), along with granddaughters April and Avery; his daughter, Wendy, and son-in-law

Ronald (Calaycay), along with granddaughters Kaiya, Keira, and

Kylie; and his daughter, Gwen, and son-in-law Kevin (Knapp), along with grandson Nolan.

He will be remembered for the quiet, enduring impact he had on all who knew him.