Yeiichi Kuwayama ’40

Known to us as “Yick” or “Kelly,” our classmate, who was Princeton’s oldest living Asian American alumnus, died June 29, 2014, in Washington, D.C.

Born in New York City, Kelly came to us from Newtown High School. At Princeton he majored in economics, lettered in gymnastics, and took his meals at Gateway Club.

After Princeton, he was drafted into the Army, eventually deploying to Italy with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team as a medic. He served with distinction, earning a Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and other awards. Kelly famously saved the life of then-lieutenant and future senator from Hawaii Daniel Inouye.

After the war he earned an MBA at Harvard Business School in 1947 and went to work for Nomura Securities. He subsequently worked in Washington for the Office of Foreign Direct Investments and the Securities and Exchange Commission, retiring in 1984.

Kelly dedicated himself to many charitable activities and causes. He was a founder of the Asian American Alumni Association and served for many years as our class agent.

He is survived by Fumiko, his wife of 51 years; his brother, George; and his sister, Tomi. His sister Aya predeceased him in 2011.