Amy Kimura
- Published: May 30, 2024
Amy Kimura passed away on May 2, 2024, at Hospice of Dayton, after a short illness.
Born in New York City on Jan. 29, 1929, she went to NYC schools until she was 11. The family moved to Japan in early 1940 due to the impending war. Living in Tokyo until their home was firebombed, they moved to their grandfather’s farm in the country. Amy said they could see the B29s overhead each day heading for Tokyo.
After the war, Amy graduated from Tsuda University with a major in English literature. She worked a year at Bank of New York, then for a long period at NCR Japan. Her Sunday school teacher, Marie Morisawa, invited Amy to join her in Yellow Springs, where Morisawa was professor of geology. Amy worked a year in the Antioch science department, then she was recruited to Vernay Labs. She worked at Vernay for 30 years, retiring in 1999 as Director of International. She played a major role in the establishment of Vernay Japan.
After retirement, Amy and her partner, David Anthony, traveled widely in Europe, with a special emphasis on Italy. Also, they took two memorable trips to Japan in 2003 and 2006. Amy liked to read, with a special emphasis on mysteries. Her home was filled with books. She loved living in Yellow Springs; she said she felt safe and welcome. She liked talking to her neighbors and other Yellow Springers about her war experiences and the Japanese internment camps. She felt people should be educated about the camps. She liked to talk to kids. She treated them as equals without condescension.
Amy is survived by her sister, Yoko Ronchkovsky, of Normal, Illinois; her partner, David Anthony, of Xenia; and cousins in Japan. Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: Glen Helen Nature Preserve, 405 Corry St., Yellow Springs, OH, 45387. Condolences may be made to the family online at NeeldFuneralHome.com.
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