On December 24, 1998 many in the EFL profession lost a friend and for those of us in JALT we also lost a valuable member. Our Past President passed away on December 24, 1998 after suffering from cardio-vascular complications. A quiet ceremony was held for his family, friends, and colleagues on December 25, 1998 in Himeji. The JALT membership was represented at the funeral and offered a remembrance to the grieving Imamura family.
Shigeo Imamura's life spanned two cultures. He was born and brought up in California until age ten. Then he travelled to Matsuyama, Japan and finished elementary school through college. He went back to the U.S. where he received an M. A. degree in Linguistics from the University of Michigan. He then took the position of instructor of English at Ehime University until he was offered a position as associate professor of ESL at Michigan State University. Returning once again to Japan after 20 years in the U.S., he taught as professor of English at Aoyama Gakuin University for six years, and then became director of the Language Institute of Himeji Dokkyo University. He remained teaching at Himeji Dokkyo University until the end.
The JALT electorate chose him to be their Vice President in 1991. When asked by the JALT executive board to fill a vacancy at the presidency he gracefully accepted. During his tenure with JALT he coined our current name in English, The Japan Association for Language Teaching.
Many members remember him best for his ability to bridge the Japanese and foreign members community in JALT. He happily celebrated with many at the 20th anniversary of JALT at JALT94 in Matsuyama and he also officiated at JALT95 in Nagoya. He was mentor for English students in America and all around Japan. Many of his students have gone on to be excellent teachers of English. We will all remember him well.
With respect,
David McMurray, Immediate Past-President of JALT