Arthur Shinbo

In loving memory of Art Shinbo who passed away Nov. 3, 2015, at home with his wife Katie by his side. He was born in Walla Walla to Yuso and Tomiko (Miyamura) Shinbo. He attended local schools and graduated from Walla Walla High School. He enlisted in the Army, and was accepted into the Military Intelligence Service of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, made up of all Nisei volunteers. He served in the Pacific as a translator interpreter and interrogator, then in the post-war U.S. occupation forces in Japan aiding in the peaceful transition and reconstruction efforts.

He was married to Alice Hamada. They had a daughter, Sharon, in 1955, and were later divorced. After a friendship over 25 years, Art and Katie Ann Caldwell married on March 11, 2006, at the First Methodist Church in Walla Walla.

In 1957, he graduated with honors from the Art Center School in Los Angeles while attending as a fulltime student and working full time as well. He enjoyed a successful career as a gifted graphic designer/illustrator in the aerospace industry in Southern California. He first worked for Lockheed Aircraft, then joined Bunker-Ramo. His creativity and keen attention to detail brought him much admiration in his work. From advertising campaigns to trade shows he exceeded expectations, pleasing the corporate offices and never missing a deadline. The company, through much corporate restructuring, finally became Contel-GTE.

Upon retirement he was director of publications and administrative services. A colleague of Art’s who had been asked by a lifelong friend, Michael Wayne, to design the titles for the film “Chisum,” asked Art to join him, which he very much enjoyed. In retirement he did a series of line drawings featuring historic buildings of Walla Walla, which he gifted to family and friends. The collection can be seen in the hall of The Odd Fellows, donated by his nephew Jon Ikeda.

Art will be missed as a quiet and gentle man who enjoyed building projects around home, doing crossword puzzles and spoiling his beloved little “Beau” with too many treats. He requested there be no service. Art is survived by his wife Katie at home; sisters, Martha Matsuki of Las Vegas and Patty Kajita of Walla Walla; and three nieces and two nephews. Art was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved daughter, Sharon; and best friend/sister, June Ikeda. Contributions may be made to Life Church of Walla Walla or the Japanese American Memorial Fund at Mountain View Cemetery.