IN MEMORIAM: DR. TOSHIKO SATAKE
2010 JASH Gala Program
It is with great sadness that we share news of the passing of Dr. Toshiko Satake, Honorary Chairperson of Satake Corporation and longtime supporter of Japan-America Society of Houston. Dr. Satake passed away of natural causes at the age of 88 on October 5, 2021.
Satake Corporation, a grain processing equipment manufacturer that was founded in 1896 by her grandfather, Riichi Satake, who was known for inventing the first power-driven rice milling machine in Japan, had been led by Dr. Satake since 2001.
Dr. Satake was the eldest daughter of Toshihiko Satake, the second president of the corporation. She was named president following the death of her husband, Bob, who served as the company’s third president.
Dr. Satake graduated from the University of California in 1957 and joined Satake Corporation two years later. She held various positions with the company, including senior managing director, vice president, and chairperson, before being named the company’s fourth president in 2001.
That same year, she was appointed director of the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation.
Throughout her life she received many honors. In 2002, she received the Distinguished Fellow Award from Louisiana University. In 2007, she received the Alumni Merit Award from the University of Southern California, and in 2010 she became an honorary citizen and goodwill ambassador of Houston, Texas. Also in 2010, Dr. Satake was honored by the Japan-America Society of Houston for her contributions to the fostering of friendship between Japan and America.
In 2016, Dr. Satake was awarded the USA Rice Millers’ Association’s Distinguished Service Award, recognizing her outstanding lifetime contributions to the US rice milling industry.
Dr. Satake was an instrumental figure in the flour milling industry, which Satake Corporation first entered in 1991 when it acquired United Kingdom-based companies Thomas Robinson & Son Ltd. and Henry Simon Ltd. It was during her tenure, in 2017, that Satake Corporation and Alapala announced a strategic partnership in which they would re-establish the Henry Simon brand of flour milling equipment.
Taking COVID-19 into consideration, private services for Dr. Satake were in October. Relatives and the corporation respectfully decline any funeral and other gifts of condolence including incense, flowers, or other offerings.
To read more about Dr. Satake’s many accomplishment, please click here.
“Dr. Satake’s indomitable spirit in constant pursuit of trust, reliability and innovation for our products and services will remain our guiding principles...to benefit society and improve people’s lives.”