Meet Mr. Kinziro Aizawa

This article originally appeared in the July edition of The Epigram.

By Dennis Keller

In Japanese KINZIRO (means manager of finance) AIZAWA (means twin brooks), but now he is Kenneth after his baptism in Louisville. He prefers Ken.

Ken, was a houseboy in Japan for Eugene and Nancy Shea, as the Sheas served as occupation personnel after WWII. Mrs. Shea asked her mother, Mrs. Stivers and husband, Dr. Stivers of Anchorage, to sponsor Ken to America. Ken, came to the US in December 1949 at age 18. He had attended high school in Japan, but Mr. & Mrs. Stivers enrolled him in St.Xavier to improve his English. He graduated in 1951, then attended U of L, and earned a BA, Masters and Doctorate in Chemistry. He worked for Olin Industries for 2 years and 25 years for E. I. Dupont  of Louisville. Ken holds the Stivers in high regard.

The Stivers were podiatrists and their 4 children also became podiatrists. Ken’s parents are deceased, but he has 2 brothers and l sister in Japan and he last visited them in 1985. Unfortunately, Ken’s two wives preceded him in death, but one of his sons resides in Louisville and the other in Shreveport, LA. Ken came to Epiphany in 2005 and is active in the SAGES & SEL.

As a US citizen since 1959 he is well adjusted to America, but ever so often he seeks out some Japanese food. In his retirement he continues to read to broaden his knowledge.

(Editor’s Note: In the September 2010 issue of the Epigram, our author will write about the Japanese culture).