Tom Tsuyoshi Hashimoto

Obituary for Tom Tsuyoshi Hashimoto

It is with profound love and admiration that we celebrate the remarkable life of Tom Tsuyoshi Hashimoto—a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and pioneering engineer—whose journey from post-war Japan to the Pacific Northwest stands as a testament to courage, resilience, and the enduring power of hope.

Born in Okayama, Japan, just 94 miles east of Hiroshima, Tom’s early years were shaped by hardship and uncertainty. In a country struggling to recover from war, he faced scarcity, unrest, and the daily challenges of a society in turmoil. Yet, even as a young man, Tom’s spirit was unbreakable. Refusing to be defined by his circumstances, he dreamed of a better life and, with a leap of faith, wrote to Multnomah Junior College in Oregon. Against all odds, he was accepted, and in 1959, with only $100 and a heart full of hope, Tom set sail for America.

Arriving in San Francisco after a 21-day voyage, Tom’s journey was just beginning. Alone in a new land, he persevered through language barriers and financial hardship, often surviving on little more than soda crackers and ketchup. His determination never wavered. Tom earned his pre-engineering degree at Multnomah Junior College and went on to graduate from the University of Portland with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

Tom’s professional journey was as inspiring as his personal one. He began his career at Lee C. Moore in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and quickly distinguished himself as a brilliant and innovative engineer. Over the next five decades, Tom’s expertise in steel structure design took him across the globe on nearly 50 engineering assignments. He held leadership roles at Skytop Brewster, Victoria Machine Works, Branham Industries, and Dreco, Inc., before founding his own company, Hashimoto and Associates, in Conroe, Texas. Tom’s work changed the industry—he designed a world-record-setting oil well derrick that twice drilled five miles deep and was awarded five U.S. patents for his inventions.

Tom’s achievements were recognized with numerous honors, including his inclusion in the fourth edition of Who’s Who in Science and Engineering and the prestigious Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. Yet, for all his professional success, Tom’s greatest pride was his family.

After returning to Japan at his mother’s request, Tom met and married, Yoshiko. Together, they built a family rooted in working hard, diligence, and education. Tom and Yoshiko were blessed with three accomplished children—Clifton, Mark, and Emily—and four cherished grandchildren. Their home in the scenic Cascade Mountains near the Pacific Ocean was filled with family reunions, gardening, and the beauty of sunsets on the horizon.

Tom’s legacy is one of perseverance, innovation, and boundless love. He taught those around him the value of hard work, the importance of integrity, and the joy of embracing new challenges. His wish was simple and poetic: “to have his ashes spread across the Pacific Ocean to be able to eternally experience the bright sunrise shining on his mother’s country.”

Tom Hashimoto’s life reminds us that even in the face of adversity, hope can carry us across oceans and into the hearts of those we love. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who had the privilege to know him.