Robert Masato and Koko Hirashima

The lives of Robert Masato and Koko Hirashima, long time residents of Torrance, will be celebrated at Green Hills Memorial Chapel on October 3rd at 11:00.

Bob was born in Woodland, CA in 1932. After the end of WWII, 13 year old Robert moved with his mother and sisters to Kyushu, Japan, his deceased father's birthplace. He joined the United States Air Force and while stationed in Tokyo, he met Koko, a young beauty from Akita, Japan. On September 15th, they were to celebrate their 59th wedding anniversary.

Bob proudly defended democracy in the Korean War and continued to serve for 22 years until his retirement in 1972. He started a second career as a successful businessman and enjoyed golfing, volunteering to plan events and planning trips abroad. Koko was a homemaker who enjoyed cooking, Jazzercise, Tomo no Kai Club, and Gospel House Bible Study.

Bob departed this life on July 28th (83) and was joined by Koko on September 2nd (79). They are survived by daughter Patricia Sayumi Tachibana (George), son Leonard Daisuke (Angel), daughter Joy Masayo Dalbey (Mitch), daughter Amy Rika Blome (Dave), eleven grandchildren, and 3½ great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the Redondo Beach Fire Department, the Hermosa Beach Police Department, the Harbor UCLA Trauma Team, and the Torrance Memorial Intensive and Palliative Care Teams for their unparalleled compassion and care.