BroomfieldEnterprise.com/broomfield-news/ci_29066482/former-broomfield-councilman-sakaguchi-remembers-kindness-love-community
POSTED: 11/03/2015 05:22:02 PM MST
Former Broomfield councilman Bob Sakaguchi remembered for kindness, love of community
By Jennifer Rios
Staff Writer
Bob Sakaguchi is lifted by dancers during his 2013 Dancing with the Broomfield Stars performance. Sakaguchi, a former mayor and city councilman, died Sunday. (David R. Jennings / Staff Photographer)
Robert "Bob" Kingi Sakaguchi, a man who served and helped shape Broomfield, is remembered for more than his community contributions.
Friends recall his gentle manner and the "wild" socks that accompanied his elegant way of dressing.
Sakaguchi, a former Broomfield City Councilman and mayor pro tem who served in the late '80s and early '90s, died Sunday. He was 69. A funeral service will be 9 a.m. Saturday at the Tri-State Denver Buddhist Temple
.
Former mayor Karen Stuart, who met Sakaguchi about 30 years ago, said Sakaguchi encouraged her to run for City Council, then served alongside her in Ward 4 for years.
"He was so community oriented. I think that's what drew me to him," Stuart said. "He really loved Broomfield. He was a true public servant in every way."
After serving in the Air Force, Sakaguchi graduated from the University of Colorado-Boulder with a degree in civil engineering. He worked at the Colorado Department of Transportation and in the privates sector specializing in civil engineering.
As a councilman, Sakaguchi worked toward establishing the Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library and Paul Derda Recreation Center.
Stuart said Sakaguchi was interested in building more ball fields and helped lead conversations about purchasing open space — a new concept in the early 1990s.
Sakaguchi was an active golfer, she said, learned to tap dance as an adult, even competing in the Broomfield Community Foundation's Dancing with the Broomfield Stars fundraiser two years ago.
AdvertisementHe also loved spending time with his grandchildren.
Sakaguchi is survived by his wife, Deborah Sakaguchi, his sister, Joyce Sakaguchi Phillips, and three daughters, Tracy, Tammy and Kristen, according to an obituary. He also is survived by grandchildren and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
As Stuart reached out to tell people the news of his death, she said she kept hearing what a kind, gentle and optimistic person Sakaguchi was.
"It resonates over and over with people," she said.
Stuart said he was a mentor and willing to share his engineering expertise. He had innovative ideas that he wouldn't push, but would share with others.
"He was someone who encouraged people to do things in the community," Stuart said. "He was a very gracious, nonpartisan sort of person."
Sakaguchi also was active in the Brighton Japanese American Association and Japanese American Citizens League.
Vance Rasmussen, Sakguchi's friend and neighbor, met Sakaguchi in the early 1990s.
"He was the kindest man you'll ever meet," Rasmussen said. "He was never without a smile."
Ramussen used to drive to Loveland to watch Colorado Eagles hockey games with Sakaguchi, who was part owner of the team.
"The players thought the world of him," Rasmussen said, citing messages team members wrote on a family member's Facebook post.
Stuart said Sakaguchi had a passion for innovation and improvement of transportation.
Mayor Randy Ahrens said he was currently working with Sakaguchi on regional transportation issues to benefit Broomfield and surrounding communities, including legislation discussions with the North Area Transportation Alliance. He described him as someone who was intelligent and respected by everyone who worked with him.
"Bob was (a) sharp dressed and wise man with a gentle heart," Ahrens said. "He will be greatly missed."
Jennifer Rios: 303-473-1361, riosj@broomfieldenterprise.com or Twitter.com/Jennifer_Rios
Friends recall his gentle manner and the "wild" socks that accompanied his elegant way of dressing.
Sakaguchi, a former Broomfield City Councilman and mayor pro tem who served in the late '80s and early '90s, died Sunday. He was 69. A funeral service will be 9 a.m. Saturday at the Tri-State Denver Buddhist Temple
.
Former mayor Karen Stuart, who met Sakaguchi about 30 years ago, said Sakaguchi encouraged her to run for City Council, then served alongside her in Ward 4 for years.
"He was so community oriented. I think that's what drew me to him," Stuart said. "He really loved Broomfield. He was a true public servant in every way."
After serving in the Air Force, Sakaguchi graduated from the University of Colorado-Boulder with a degree in civil engineering. He worked at the Colorado Department of Transportation and in the privates sector specializing in civil engineering.
As a councilman, Sakaguchi worked toward establishing the Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library and Paul Derda Recreation Center.
Stuart said Sakaguchi was interested in building more ball fields and helped lead conversations about purchasing open space — a new concept in the early 1990s.
Sakaguchi was an active golfer, she said, learned to tap dance as an adult, even competing in the Broomfield Community Foundation's Dancing with the Broomfield Stars fundraiser two years ago.
AdvertisementHe also loved spending time with his grandchildren.
Sakaguchi is survived by his wife, Deborah Sakaguchi, his sister, Joyce Sakaguchi Phillips, and three daughters, Tracy, Tammy and Kristen, according to an obituary. He also is survived by grandchildren and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
As Stuart reached out to tell people the news of his death, she said she kept hearing what a kind, gentle and optimistic person Sakaguchi was.
"It resonates over and over with people," she said.
Stuart said he was a mentor and willing to share his engineering expertise. He had innovative ideas that he wouldn't push, but would share with others.
"He was someone who encouraged people to do things in the community," Stuart said. "He was a very gracious, nonpartisan sort of person."
Sakaguchi also was active in the Brighton Japanese American Association and Japanese American Citizens League.
Vance Rasmussen, Sakguchi's friend and neighbor, met Sakaguchi in the early 1990s.
"He was the kindest man you'll ever meet," Rasmussen said. "He was never without a smile."
Ramussen used to drive to Loveland to watch Colorado Eagles hockey games with Sakaguchi, who was part owner of the team.
"The players thought the world of him," Rasmussen said, citing messages team members wrote on a family member's Facebook post.
Stuart said Sakaguchi had a passion for innovation and improvement of transportation.
Mayor Randy Ahrens said he was currently working with Sakaguchi on regional transportation issues to benefit Broomfield and surrounding communities, including legislation discussions with the North Area Transportation Alliance. He described him as someone who was intelligent and respected by everyone who worked with him.
"Bob was (a) sharp dressed and wise man with a gentle heart," Ahrens said. "He will be greatly missed."
Jennifer Rios: 303-473-1361, riosj@broomfieldenterprise.com or Twitter.com/Jennifer_Rios
Paul Derda, left, and Bob Sakaguchi, share a smile at the Broomfield Community Foundation's 2013 Dancing with the Broomfield Stars fundraiser. (David R. Jennings / Staff Photographer)
