Roy Yoshihiko Higa - Rafu Shimpo

HIGA, Roy Yoshihiko
May 12, 1928 – May 23, 2019

Roy Y. Higa, 91-year-old, Los Angeles-born, resident of West Los Angeles (Sawtelle) passed away on May 23rd . Roy is survived by sons, Randall (Janice), Mitchell (Spring) Higa; grandchildren, Wendy, Rayna Higa, and Ryley Garrett; also survived by many nieces, nephews and other relatives. Roy was preceded in death by wife Itsuko (“Itsy”) Higa and parents Tomohiko and Risa Higa.

Roy’s childhood was uprooted during WWII when he and his family were incarcerated at the Manzanar Relocation Center resulting from Executive Order 9066 and for being of Japanese descent. Because of the ambiguity and confusion with the so-called loyalty questionnaire, Roy’s parents inadvertently responded in such a way that Roy and his mother were then sent to the Tule Lake Segregation Center. Although not charged, Roy’s father was incarcerated at the Department of Justice facility in Santa Fe, New Mexico until 1946.

After the war, Roy worked as a gardener prior to, and up until receiving his Bachelors and Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering at USC. Upon graduation, he worked the remainder of his career at Hughes Aircraft Company working on various projects including the Man on the Moon project. After an early retirement, Roy spent his time travelling the world and ballroom dancing with Itsy. Roy and Itsy and are now reunited and are again gliding across the dance floor.

Funeral service will be held on Sat. July 13th at 3:00 P.M. at the West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple, Reverend Fumiaki Usuki officiating. 2003 Corinth Ave., West Los Angeles, CA 90025.