Frank Hiroshi Nakano M.D.

Frank Hiroshi Nakano M.D.
Dec. 21, 1935 – May 28, 2020

Frank Hiroshi Nakano M.D., 84, of Culver City, Calif., passed away peacefully with his sons and partner by his side May 28, 2020. He was born Dec. 21, 1935 to parents Gonkichi George Nakano and Haruko Harano Nakano in Modesto, Calif.

In 1942, the Nakano family was placed in Amache Internment Camp in Colorado. After release Frank lived in Denver, Colo. until moving to Berkeley, Calif. in 1950, attending Modesto High and Berkeley High and enrolling at UC Berkeley in 1953. After graduating with highest honors from School of Pharmacy at UC San Francisco in 1958 he started at UCLA Medical School where he earned his Medical Degree in 1962. He began an internship at the Wadsworth VA Hospital, then completed a general medicine residency in 1966. From 1966-67 he was a first-year fellow in cardiology and chief resident in medicine.

In 1967, he entered the Army, serving two years at 106th General Hospital in Yokohama, Japan during the Vietnam War as post cardiologist for a 1,000-bed hospital. He left the Army as a Major.

He started private practice in Culver City, Calif. in 1970 and the next year entered solo practice where he remained for 27 years holding various positions of high esteem at Washington Medical Center, Brotman Medical Center, L.A. County Medical Association and the American Heart Association. In 1996, he celebrated 25 years as an associate clinical professor. In 1998, he joined Cardiovascular Medical Group of Southern California where he remained until retirement in 2009.

Frank took pride in serving the Japanese American community, helping establish and sustain JA roots in the West LA area. He was the doctor of his family always making sure everyone received the best medical care and advice. He enjoyed visits with friends and family, golf, skiing, studying Buddhism, maintaining his koi pond, welcoming his grandchildren, and walking his dog Goro.

Frank was the last surviving sibling in the Nakano family: Florence, Ruby, and George. He is survived by Genji (son), Laura (daughter-in-law), Bastiaan (son), Kenza (daughter-in-law), Harvey (grandson), Laila (granddaughter) and Bowden (grandson).

The memorial for Frank Nakano at Senshin Temple will be a private service. For service and live-stream details, contact NakanoFamily84@gmail.com.