Death Of A Gentle, Fine Man

I am saddened by the news that Kaz Oshiki has died.

Kaz was a wonderful, decent man, a true public servant, and a survivor of both an internment camp and World War II.

A fighter for social justice.

A patriot.

He was former US Rep. Bob Kastenmeier's long-time Administrative Assistant in the Capitol Hill office. Anyone who had contact with Bob knew Kaz.

I was one of the lucky ones, because Kaz would sometimes stop into former Madison Mayor Paul Soglin's office, where I worked in the mid-to-late '70's.

Kaz's visits were a delight - - seminars in government and governing, gossip and the news.

He was generously patient with us 20-somethings trying to manage the big city in the District.

Kaz was principled, energetic, down-to-earth and wise.

I'm so sorry to read that he died, but glad he lived a long and exemplary life.