Satoru Nakamoto, MD
May 5, 2020
SATORU NAKAMOTO, M.D., passed away peacefully at home following a brief struggle with cancer on May 5, 2020 at the age of 92. Beloved husband of 62 years to Grace Nakamoto (nee Maruo); dearest father of Dean Nakamoto, M.D. (Miki), Donna Lew (Christopher, M.D.) and David Nakamoto; loving grandfather of Kent and Alissa Nakamoto, and Alexander, Maria and Michele Lew.
Dr. Nakamoto was born in Yamaguchi prefecture, Japan. He received his medical degree from Yamaguchi Medical College after World War II and came to the United States in 1953 as a medical intern. In 1956, he joined the Cleveland Clinic and was appointed the head of the newly formed Department of Hemodialysis in 1967 where he became a pioneer in dialysis and renal transplantation. His colleagues admired his intellect, perseverance and innovations that produced the seminal work in renal transplantation. He was the consummate physician, researcher, educator, but above all else he made patient care his priority. Despite all these accomplishments, he was a very humble and modest man and loving husband and father. After retirement he enjoyed spending time with his wife and grandchildren, keeping up with friends from around the world, gardening, and golfing with his sons.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in memory of Dr. Satoru Nakamoto to Cleveland Clinic Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute - Hypertension & Nephrology Education. Gifts can be sent to Cleveland Clinic Foundation, P.O. Box 931517, Cleveland, OH 44193-1655 or made online at clevelandclinic.org/giving.
Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Entombment private, Knollwood Cemetery.
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