Robert Asaka "Auski" Tamura, born in Hawthorne in 1923, passed away peacefully in his Torrance home on May 9, 2014. Robert graduated as a top athlete from Leuzinger High School and attended Chouinard Art Institute before 1942 when his family was relocated to an internment camp in Rowher, Arkansas during WWII with sister Ayako (Kubota), and brothers Katsumi and Yukio.

Robert served his country in the U.S. Military Intelligence Service occupied Japan (1944-6). After his discharge, he used the GI bill and attended The Art Center College of Design. He became a successful freelance designer/illustrator in New York and San Francisco. Robert moved his family to Torrance in 1977 where he was employed at Mattel Toys as a Product Designer and Senior Art Director until his retirement in 1988.

Robert is survived by his wife Mary, son David, daughter Barbara, and granddaughters Evan and Alex.

A memorial will be held on May 24th, 11am at Faith United Methodist Church, 2115 West 182nd Street, Torrance, CA.