Though I had not seen or communicated with Tom Oki in years, I never forgot about him. His recent passing reminded me of our friendship. And it also reminded me of Robert “Bob” Essick. I can still remember the excitement I felt at retirement in 2018, knowing that I could set about to write some stories that had been living in my head for many years. None more important than A Love Story. I genuinely loved both men, and I think they knew it.

Tom Oki and Robert “Bob” Essick are two people I will continue to think about and more importantly share for the rest of my life. When I think of Tom Brokaw’s “Greatest Generation”, I will always think of these two men. They lived, as young men, through the greatest challenge of our time. World War II was the seminal event in the history of our country (and perhaps the world for that matter). The world was at war militarily, but it was also at war philosophically and spiritually. If the Allies had lost that war, America and the world would have become very different places. These two men lived through this period and were faced with many difficult decisions in the heat of the moment. They made the decisions which, though very different, were the choices each thought was correct, and I view both as American heroes. I can tell you with 100% certainty that both would scoff at the notion. They both saw themselves as regular guys doing regular things during irregular times. I would disagree, and if you take the time to go back and read or re-read the story, I feel you might be inclined to agree.

I am including the articles I recently came across pertaining to Tom Oki’s passing. Now more than ever, I thought this would be a great time to rekindle the story. Thank you for taking the time to read or re-read it and please share it with a friend.  This world needs heroes more than ever right now.

Tom Yoshio Oki – The Story of HCH’s Oldest Patient

Obituary | Tom Yoshio Oki of Oxnard, California | Fukui Mortuary

Thomas M. Cook

4/26/25