Hitoshi Tamaki, 97, pathologist

Hitoshi Thomas Tamaki, 97, of Plymouth Meeting, retired director of the pathology department at the former Montgomery Hospital in Norristown, died Friday, July 3, at home.

In 1948, the newly minted Dr. Tamaki was appointed director of pathology at Montgomery Hospital, now Einstein Medical Center Montgomery.

He served as president of the hospital's medical staff from 1965 to 1966, and in other leading roles until retiring in 1993.

Born in Eatonville, Wash., Dr. Tamaki grew up in Tacoma, where he attended public schools. He graduated from the University of Puget Sound in 1940 with a bachelor of science degree.

Dr. Tamaki received a partial scholarship to the Boston University School of Medicine, and earned a medical degree in 1943. After an internship at Mount Sinai Hospital in Cleveland, Dr. Tamaki completed residency training in pathology at Montefiore Hospital in Pittsburgh, and at Jefferson Medical College.

He was certified by the American Board of Pathology in anatomical and clinical pathology in 1948.

Dr. Tamaki taught medical students part-time for years, rising to associate professor of pathology at Jefferson. He also was a pathology consultant for the former North Penn Hospital and for Norristown State Hospital.

Although most of his time was devoted to hospital work, Dr. Tamaki was well known in local medical circles, serving as president of the Montgomery County Medical Society in 1962 and on its board of directors. He was a member of numerous national, international, state, and local medical and pathology societies.

Dr. Tamaki was active with the Rotary Club of Norristown, the former Norristown Board of Health (now the Montgomery County Board of Health), Plymouth Township's antipollution board, and the Delaware Valley Hemophilia Foundation.

He served as the president of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Japanese American Citizen League, receiving the Ruby Pin, awarded by the national board to members who have made exceptional contributions entailing great personal sacrifice.

In 1982, Dr. Tamaki was honored by the House for service to Pennsylvanians. He received the key to Norristown with a proclamation of April 14, 1982, as H. Thomas Tamaki Day.

Dr. Tamaki had lived in Plymouth Township since 1960. He loved gardening, reading, and traveling, and was a devoted Eagles fan. The Tamaki family enjoyed vacations on tropical islands and skiing in Vail, Colo.

"As a father, he was very understanding, very fair. I wouldn't say he was strict, but when he meant business, he meant business," said son Gregory H.

Besides his son, he is survived by his wife of 64 years, Marion Z. Miyazaki Tamaki; sons Dwight T. and Drew Sei; a daughter, Karen Tora Buescher; nine grandchildren; a brother; and a sister.

Visitations are to be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 10, and 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 11, at Moore, Snear & Ruggiero Funeral Home, 300 Fayette St., Conshohocken. A memorial service will follow at noon Saturday at the funeral home. Interment is private.

Memorial donations may be made to Tamaki's Scholarship Fund, c/o University of Puget Sound, 1500 N. Warner St., Tacoma, Wash. 98416.