Kenneth M. Iwashita

Kenneth M. Iwashita, age 69, of Concord Township, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, while on vacation in Florida. He was born May 13, 1943, in Evansville, Ind. Mr. Iwashita was recognized as a very distinguished member of the Lakeland College Community. Appointed to the Lakeland Board of Trustees back in 2001, Mr. Iwashita was a tireless supporter of the college. In his role as an active civic leader, he never missed the chance to sing Lakeland's praises. Outside of the college, he was very much engaged with education as the former president and chief operating officer of The Lubrizol Foundation, which is the funding arm of the Lubrizol Corporation that is responsible for awarding financial support to educational institutions and charitable organizations. While Mr. Iwashita was on the board, the college also hosted United States President George W. Bush on campus, online degree programs were started, and the college celebrated its 40th anniversary. He was also instrumental in helping develop the Holden University Center of Lakeland. In the community, he had served on the boards of the Greater Cleveland Growth Association, Crossroads of Lake County Adolescent Counseling Service and the United Way of Lake County, among others. He served on The Lakeland Foundation board of directors and the Leadership Lake County board of trustees. He was a veteran, having served our country as a captain in the United States Air Force, where he was honored with the Bronze Star. Mr. Iwashita earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from Michigan State University. Because of his commitment to positively impacting the lives of thousands of Lakeland students, Mr. Iwashita was granted the status of Trustee Emeritus by the Lakeland Board of Trustees He was an active member of St. Gabriel Church in Mentor and enjoyed playing golf and spending time with his family. Survivors are his wife, Susan (McLain) Iwashita of Concord Township; daughter, Alyson (Chris) Claudio of Yarmouth, Maine; stepchildren, Kara Gildone of Concord Township, Kevin McLain (Marc Holt) of Columbus and Michael (Jill) McLain of Aurora, Colo.; grandchildren, Ethan and Alec Gildone, Carly and Jenna McLain and Emerson and Dalton Claudio; sister, Mary (Steve) Claus of Florida; and aunt, Sandy Iwashita of Kona, Hawaii. He is also survived by many other loving family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Marie Iwashita; and brother, George Iwashita Jr. The family will receive friends from 3 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 8466 Mentor Ave., Mentor. A funeral Mass will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday December 18, 2012 at St. Gabriel's Church, 9925 Johnnycake Ridge Road, Concord Township. (Please meet at the church.) Interment will be held at All Souls Cemetery in Chardon Township. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Ken's memory to the Lakeland Foundation, c/o The Kenneth Iwashita Fund, 7700 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland, OH 44094. Online obituary at www.brunners.com.

Kenneth M. Iwashita

May 13, 1943 - December 12, 2012