- Date Of Birth: January 10, 1931
- Date Of Death: January 5, 2019
- State: Texas
Takeshi Wajima, January 10, 1931 – January 5, 2019.
Colonel (ret) Takeshi Wajima, MD, PhD, MACP, passed away in Temple on January 5, 2019 at the age of 87.
Takeshi was born in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. Throughout his life he pursued and shared a passion for learning. He earned a degree in pharmacology from Kanazawa Pharmaceutical College in 1952 and received his MD from the University of Kanazawa School of Medicine.
He was a research fellow in pharmaceutical science, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Instructor in Medicine, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine in Japan. He was also a research associate in Biochemistry at the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission, Hiroshima, Japan. He was an Instructor in Medicine, University of Tennessee College of Medicine, and staff physician (Medical Service, Hematology), Veterans’ Administration Hospital, Memphis, TN.
He joined the US Air Force in 1976 and was assigned to the Hematology-Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, Lackland AFB, TX. During his tenure at Wilford Hall Medical Center, he established the Special Coagulation Laboratory, recognized as a state of the art facility in quality of service and variety of tests. In 1984 he left active duty and continued serving through the reserves until he retired from the Air Force as a Colonel in 1999.
He accepted a position with Texas A&M University Health Science Center College of Medicine, and the Hematology-Oncology Service at Olin E. Teague Veterans Center in Temple, TX until he retired in 2000.
Dr Wajima became a member of the American College of Physicians and was advanced as a Fellow of the ACP in 1981. In 2002, he was recognized by the American College of Physicians as a Master for his contributions to teaching, research, and clinical practice. He was also a member of the Society of Air Force Physicians. He is also a member of the American Society of Hematology, the International Society of Hematology, the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, the International Society of Fibrinolysis and Proteolysis, the Council on Thrombosis, the American Heart Association, the American Medical Association, the Southwest Oncology Group, and the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States. As chartered member of the International Society of Clinical and Applied Hemostasis and Thrombosis, Dr Wajima was among the first group of board certified diplomats.
He left a legacy serving as a mentor to countless medical students, interns, residents, and doctors.
Takeshi was a member of the St Francis Episcopal Church in Temple for over 30 years. He was a patron of the Central Texas Orchestral Society and the Temple Civic Theatre. He was also a charter member of the Hope Foundation of the Southwest Oncology Group. He was also a member of the Emeritus Medicus of Temple TX.
Dr Wajima is survived by his wife of 55 years, Yoshie, of Temple, four sons, Yutaka of Austin, Hiroshi of Charlotte NC, Makoto of San Antonio, and Hikaru of Cary NC, two brothers, one sister, and two granddaughters.
