Paul Kusuda

MADISON-Paul H. Kusuda, age 95, of Madison, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, Nov. 10, 2017.  He was born on Oct. 14, 1922, in Los Angeles, Calif., as a United States citizen, to Masao and Chiteko Kusuda.  He obtained his Masters of Social Work in 1949, from the University of Chicago. Paul worked for the State of Wisconsin Department of Corrections and was Chief of the Bureau of Research. He retired as the Deputy Director of Juvenile Services for the Department of Corrections in 1987. Among many civic activities, Paul went on to become an advocate for the elderly by involving himself with the City of Madison Commission on Aging and the Area Agency on Aging, as well as numerous other organizations.  He also was a steadfast advocate for refugees, immigrants, underprivileged youth, Asians, the homeless, and the ideal of health care for all.  He was a visionary who worked tirelessly for those who are less fortunate.  He and his wife, Atsuko made monetary donations to numerous charitable organizations every year.  Paul was the recipient of many awards including South Central Wisconsin Social Worker of the Year, Special Recognition Award by the American Civil Liberties Union, Dane County Martin Luther King, Jr. Recognition Award, Appreciation Award by the Wisconsin Japanese American Citizens League, Asian Wisconzine Editors Award and The Capital City Hues Appreciation Award.  He believed very strongly that it was his civic duty to educate people regarding the World War II evacuation of Japanese Americans to internment camps. The social and legal injustice ordered by our government was based solely on racial and ethnic discrimination. His passion was doing all he could to prevent this from happening again. By educating high school students and other groups, he reached out to the public in every way he could to get this message heard and understood.  Paul is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Atsuko; children, Misao (Dave) Michelfelder, Amy (Vance) Roh and James (Patricia) Kusuda; and grandchildren, Tony and Tyson Roh; Jenny and Ryan Michelfelder; and Stephanie Kusuda.  A memorial service will be held at LAKE EDGE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, 4200 Buckeye Road, Madison, at 10 a.m., on Friday, Nov. 17, 2017, with a luncheon to follow at The East Side Club, Madison.  Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017, and at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday.