Obituary: Paul Hamada

After the war was over, Paul’s father decided to move the family away from rural farm roots on the West Coast all the way to New York City. Paul grew up in New Rochelle, went to Yale for his undergraduate work, to Columbia for medical school, and to Albert Einstein College of Medicine for his internship and residency in internal medicine. He married his first wife Susan in 1964, and daughter Debbe was born in 1965, followed by his son Dan in 1966. Like others in his Ivy League, Paul was anticipating a career at an urban teaching hospital, but the Vietnam War halted his plans in 1967.

Even though Paul was 29 years old and married with two children, he was drafted into the U.S. Air Force with the rank of Captain. Paul was assigned to Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, not to serve as an internist, but as a psychiatrist. The whole thing was a computer mix-up. When the newly drafted physicians were listing their preferred assignments and specialties, there was a Dr. Hamlin, a psychiatrist from Seattle, who requested to go to the Northwest. Dr. Hamada, an internist from New York, requested the Northeast. Rather than just straightening out the error, the Air Force sent Paul to the Meninger Clinic for three months of training so he could be an Air Force psychiatrist as well as an internist. There were 12 other physicians of other specialties at the Meninger Clinic at the same time as Paul — learning to be Air Force psychiatrists due to paperwork mix-ups! The experience he received in the Air Force permitted him to include psychiatric work in his later civilian medical career.

During his military service, New York City life lost its charm for Paul. He didn’t like the reality of triple locking doors and other rituals of urban safety. So, after being honorably discharged in 1969, Paul decided to tour the U.S. with his family. By this time, he had experienced academic, urban, and military medicine. He decided to try rural medicine, eventually settling in Hood River. Although nothing in particular drew him to Hood River, the area met most of the criteria he had set for his practice: it was in the Northwest, it was within one hour of a city and medical school. And it needed an internist. During this same year, he joined the practice of Drs. Wymore and Carter.

Paul discovered that Hood River offered him an array of opportunities. At that time, Hood River Memorial Hospital was establishing intensive care and coronary care units, and the Center for Living had not yet been established. He had been very involved in drug abuse programs in the Air Force, and while in New York had been one of the founders of the Methadone program to combat heroin use. In addition to serving as director of the hospital’s ICU and CCU, he also did a lot of psychiatric work. He became involved in substance abuse work at the state level, with an appointment by Governor Tom McCall — and later reappointed by Governor Bob Straub — to the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Problems. He also served on the Governor’s Commission on Youth of Oregon.

In 1975, Paul opened his solo practice office in the daylight basement at 1784 May St. He set up his office to provide total patient care, body and soul. That same year, Paul and his wife, Susan, divorced, and she and Debbe moved to Portland. Dan stayed with Paul. Suddenly a single father, Paul gained a great deal of appreciation for parenting and for the working houseperson. Paul’s mother and father moved to Hood River and helped him care for Dan. In turn, Paul cared for his parents during their golden years.

Paul’s practice grew, and in 1980 he recruited Dr. Gary Regalbuto to join him. Later, when Dr. Regalbuto opened his own solo practice, the two continued to work closely together to cover each other’s days off and provide the best care for the community.

In 1991, Paul married Catherine Benton and began a life with her and her children, Anna and Stephen Thompson, from her previous marriage. Cathy joined him in his office as his office manager, medical assistant and all-around girl Friday. It was the one way the couple could see more of each other and spend time together due to Paul’s busy office and on-call schedule. In 1995, Paul and Cathy purchased a piece of property out of town near her pear orchard, horse barn and house. They built their dream home and moved in the next year. Paul’s home office was designed to be in a section of the kitchen so the two newlyweds could be close to one another as much as possible.

Paul was a wonderful and supportive father to Anna and Stephen all throughout their childhoods and into their adult lives. He joined the kids in their school and community activities including dog and small animal 4-H and other shows at every opportunity. Paul volunteered as dog show chairman for the Hood River County Fair for several seasons and kept watch over the small animal barn during fair, a duty he thoroughly enjoyed. He was an avid supporter of the Hood River 4-H program.

In 2003, Paul suffered a life-altering medical event and had to give up his on-call work at the hospital. He realized he needed to slow down, but his office practice was not affected. He continued to care for his patients until he found it necessary to retire after being diagnosed with kidney disease in July of 2013. He stopped seeing patients after Oct. 31, 2013, but made sure to transfer patient records to a doctor of their choice. His office officially closed on Dec. 31, 2013. This marked the end of his 44-year medical career serving Hood River and the wider Columbia River Gorge area.

Paul was about to begin the most challenging chapter of his life. He began to prepare for eventual hemodialysis three days per week. He started dialysis in 2016 and continued for nine years with Cathy as his care partner throughout this tumultuous time. Though his ability to travel was restricted by his medical needs, Paul maintained a love of life, laughter and family. His mind was wicked sharp, and he enjoyed music, watching movies, television shows, the Beavers, Seattle Seahawks and the Blazers. He loved assembling puzzles with his young grandchildren, reading books, playing video games with Cathy, playing the piano, and maintaining his medical certifications and continuing education.

Paul is survived by his beloved wife Cathy; daughter Debbe Hamada and her husband, Bill Andrews; daughter-in-law Judy Hamada, and her children Jordan, Jacob, and Kiana; stepdaughter Anna Allen and her husband, Riley, and their sons Zadock and Bodie; stepson Stephen Thompson; brother Robert Hamada and his wife, Danielle; niece Janet Hamada and her husband Steve Glatter and their children; nephew Matthew Hamada and his wife Maria and their children; along with Benton in-laws and extended family. Paul was predeceased by his parents Horace and Maki Hamada; son Dan Hamada (2014); parents-in-law Chuck and Frances Benton; and brother-in-law Steve Benton.

The quality of life during Paul’s last years could not have been maintained without the Ray Yasui Dialysis Center and its director, Jen Marquez, along with the center’s nurses and staff. Paul’s internist, Dr. Stephen Vogt, and nephrologist, Dr. Hem Deodhar, along with all the docs, nurses and staff of NW Renal Clinic, were instrumental in his care.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Hood River County 4-H, or the Ray Yasui Dialysis Center, c/o Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital Foundation, and write “Paul Hamada” in the memo line or attached with a donation.

Cathy Hamada wishes to thank the devoted staff of Paul Hamada’s office, Hood River Internal Medicine, P.C., Sally Hazlett, RN, Debbie Hull, and Tracy Mansfield — he appreciated you all more than you will ever know. Thanks for your support and prayers on our worst days; Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital Emergency Department doctors, nurses, and staff; Hood River Fire and Rescue Ambulance crew Sam, Gabe and Marcus; and LifeFlight.

Services are pending with arrangements under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.