Howard Kazuro Suzuki

Dr. Howard Kazuro Suzuki, retired Professor of Anatomy, accomplished artist and avid fly fisherman, died at home in Gainesville, Florida on Tuesday, January 26, 2016. He was born April 3, 1927 in Ketchikan, Alaska to George Kichijiro and Tsuya Suzuki. He married Tetsuko Fujita, Ph.D, September 13, 1952 who survives him along with their four children Georganne Suzuki (Gainesville), Joan Suzuki Hart (Parker, CO), James Suzuki (Laurie-Tallahassee), Stanley Suzuki (Gainesville), and grandchildren, Matthew Hart (LeeAnn-Prescott, AZ), Joshua Suzuki (Winston-Salem, NC), Danielle, and Alexandra Suzuki (Ocala), and Laurie's children Ian and Lindsey Waldick (Ocala). Dr. Suzuki was a protector of the environment who appreciated art and music. He dedicated his life to educate future generations of health care professionals. He and his wife lived lives of service which they passed on to their children. He left this world a better place. He achieved his Eagle Scout while interned in Minidoka Relocation Camp in Idaho in 1942 and went on to earn his Ph.D. at Tulane University in 1955. He was a Professor of Anatomy at Yale University (New Haven, CT), the University of Arkansas (Little Rock) and the University of Florida (Gainesville) where he also served as Dean of Health Related Professions. Dr. Suzuki created an endowed scholarship at UALR to provide financial assistance to 2nd year medical students demonstrating the highest level of understanding of the importance between integrating science and clinical medicine with professional values and ethics in the art of compassionate, individualized, hands-on patient care. No amount of technology can replace listening and physical touch. He was one of the original members of the University of Florida Gallery Guild. Later in life he became a well-known wildlife sculpture artist. He served as an underwater photographer for the Hawaii Whale Research Foundation and field photographer for the US and Florida Game, Fish & Wildlife Service. As part of the Florida Alligator Research Team he was proud to be known as the Old FART. In his honor, contributions may be made to the Howard K Suzuki, Ph.D. Scholarship, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Institutional Advancement, 4301 W. Markham St., #716, Little Rock, AR, 72205 or the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, P.O. Box 11010, Tallahassee, FL 32302 or on line at http://www.fishwildlifeflorida.org/donate-to-the-fish-wildlife-foundation-of-florida/. A celebration of his life will be announced in the future.

Howard Kazuro Suzuki

January 30, 2016