Robert H. Uyeda, FAIA, 1940-2019

Robert H. Uyeda, FAIA, passed away on May 13, 2019. The eldest child of Vincent and Catherine Uyeda, Bob was born on December 27, 1940 at the Japanese Hospital near the family home in Boyle Heights. His industrious grandparents were successful in establishing several fish markets in Los Angeles, as well as a fish cannery in San Pedro. This was all lost with the signing of Executive Order 9066.

With the onset of World War II, Bob, at the age of one, and his parents were evacuated and incarcerated in Poston, Arizona, at an internment camp for people of Japanese ancestry residing on the west coast, where they lived until the end of WW II. The stories of the war experience and injustices relayed at family gatherings were to have a profound effect on Bob’s social awareness.

He believed the architect’s status is judged by his contribution to society, and he chose to serve his profession and society by coupling his architectural consciousness with his social consciousness. The depth of his dedication, commitment and involvement to an ideal or organization was beyond reproach.

While building a successful architectural practice, he bridged the gap for Asian Americans by establishing a course from community oriented service to the mainstream of the profession. It was his vision that the Asian American design professional be recognized to have the desire, talent, commitment and endurance to become a contributing member of the architectural profession and society.

Bob had established Tetra Design Architecture and Planning in 1975 with a focus on corporate and public architecture. Projects included historic restoration, civic, justice, libraries, port, educational and healthcare facilities that garnered numerous awards and acclamations, The practice continued for 37 years until Tetra Design was acquired in 2012 by IBI Group, a Canadian technology and architectural engineering firm.

Bob lived his life to the fullest. The profession he loved, and the relationships he developed, enabled him to establish long-lasting friendships with colleagues in the building of communities and cities.

Funeral mass will be held on Saturday, June 1, 10 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Church (Maryknoll), 222 S. Hewitt St. in Los Angeles. Overflow parking is available at Zenshuji Soto Mission, 123 S. Hewitt Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

The family kindly requests no flowers.