Tai Sugimoto

Tai Sugimoto, 65, of Wadmalaw Island, SC died peacefully on February 24 surrounded by his immediate family. He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Sandra Burleson and his daughter, Miki Elise Sugimoto. Tai was born in Osaka, Japan on January 4, 1945 and came to the United States in 1964 to attend Stetson University on scholarship, where after, he received a Ph.D. in Epidemiology from Florida State University. Tai was recruited by the then Governor West Administration where he helped in the development of the USC School of Medicine in Columbia, SC. Tai also taught second year medical students and residents in various subjects including medical ethics and health care planning. Tai later founded International Chip Corp. which developed a new technology for chip fabrication. He also, in conjunction with his wife, founded International Business Communications Corp which provided technical communications, online technical training, translation and business consulting on copyright law for Japanese companies. Tai won several awards for his work in End Stage Renal Disease and, also, for his work for the State of South Carolina. Tai was an ardent lover of life and an enthusiastic runner, tri-athlete, snowboarder and golfer. He was strong in body, mind, and spirit and was devoted to both his wife and daughter and to his large circle of friends who loved him dearly. To those who knew him well, Tai would invariably show up late for many of the races he loved to participate in but was always first in his age group at the finish line. Tai lived to fulfill his lifelong dream by retiring to his beloved Sweet Bay Plantation and enjoying life to the fullest. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and all those who knew him. In addition to his wife and daughter, he is survived by his mother, Fusaka Sugimoto; his sister, Mieko Yukimitsu; his nephew, Seita Yukimitsu and his nieces, Meiko and Kanako Yukimitsu. A memorial service in honor of Tai and his amazing life will be held Saturday, February 27 at 2:00 p.m. at the James McAlister Funeral Home at 1620 Savannah Highway in Charleston, SC. Donations may be made to the Hospice of Charleston Foundation, www.hospiceofcharlestonfoundation.org .