George Ichiro Tsuda

George Ichiro Tsuda passed away on Sunday, September 15 at 99 years old. He is survived by his wife, Sachiko “Jeanie” Tsuda; his children, Ken (Lynne Tsuda), Kesa (Steve Lust), and Naomi (Paul Irving); and his grandchildren, Carly Tsuda and David Tsuda.

Born in 1924 in Castroville, California, George spent his childhood in central California until the Tsuda family returned to Japan in 1938 amid pre-World War II tensions. He attended the Kobe Naval Academy and worked as an interpreter for occupying Allied forces following the end of World War II. The US Military recruited him in the Korean war, where he served some years before developing pleurisy and was eventually sent to Colorado Springs, CO to recover.

Following his recuperation, he moved to Chicago to attend the University of Illinois-Champaign Urbana. While there, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering. Upon degree completion, he was offered a technical staff position at Hughes Aircraft Company in Culver City, CA where he moved with his first wife, Susan (née Hoff). Early in his Hughes Aircraft career, he pursued his Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering at University of Southern California. Seven years after starting at Culver City, he transferred to the Fullerton facility and became department head and then lab manager before retiring in 1992.

During his 37-year tenure at Hughes, he pioneered innovative communication system technologies, earning over 20 patents that were significant contributors to the satellite and communications industries. One of these developments enabled the first international live satellite telecast of the 1964 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. In 1988, then Vice-President George H. W. Bush visited the Hughes facility in Fullerton and was briefed on advanced equipment created by George Tsuda and his team. Over his career, he earned over 20 patents and received many group and division patent awards, including the Hughes Lawrence A. Hyland Patent Award, the company’s most prestigious recognition for inventors.

Aside from his engineering career, George taught Japanese language and culture classes in the evening. After his retirement, he was a cornerstone of the Fullerton community, volunteering with the Fullerton Senior Center where he was awarded Lifetime membership for his service and contributions. He was President of the Senior Center in 1994, worked in the travel club from 1992 to 2000, and became Treasurer in 2002. In addition, he helped senior citizens with tax preparation and homeowners and renters’ assistance programs. He also led the Fullerton Sister City commitment with Fukui, Japan, fostering an exchange of ideas, customs, and travel.

He enjoyed deep-sea fishing and kept a vegetable garden. His family and friends remember him for his intellect, generosity, and wry wit. He lived a very long and good life.