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Chuck Dene: Chuck and Karen were married at the Temple and have been members since the early 1990’s raising two daughters who both attended Dharma School. Chuck has served multiple terms on the board, previously serving as 2nd VP, co-RCC chairman, and two terms as Temple President (total 5 yr). Currently, Chuck assists on various facility projects at the Temple including coordinating a group of volunteers working on various maintenance projects as needed.

 

Jim Obuchi:  Jim initially attended Buddhist Sunday services at the “Redwood City Dharma School” until it was merged into the Palo Alto Buddhist Temple (PABT) in the mid-1970s.  At PABT, he was in the Jr. YBA, earned the Boy Scout’s Sangha Award under Reverend Tada, and served as an assistant Dharma School teacher.  He also attended a summer session at the Institute of Buddhist Studies.  Following the passing of an aunt, whose ongoing care he had been coordinating, Jim reacquainted himself with the PABT through his talks with Reverend Koyama, and his involvement as a renewed member of PABT deepened following the passing of his mother (Chieko), who was a longtime active member.  Having retired from his position as a compliance officer at Franklin Templeton Investments, Jim volunteers as a member of the Tuesday PABT landscaping crew (AKA “Kayobi-Kai”) and he would be honored to serve on the Board to support the PABT.  

 

Gary Sakamoto: - After 15 years in New York, Gary moved back to the Bay Area (San Mateo) in 2007, with wife June and son, Steven.  Gary and family became members of the Palo Alto temple in 2013, since June's family (Nakai's) have been with the temple for two generations.  Gary retired in 2014 after working with various banks around the world ifor 40 years in their foreign exchange trading rooms. He now enjoys hosting the weekly BWA SingAlong, being Controller for the temple as well as the San Mateo JACC, and playing taiko with the temple's Arakawa Taiko.  He also spends once a week at the temple with the Kayoubi Kai - doing light landscaping.  

 

Don Gee: I started to attend services in the mid-1990’s and became an official member in 2001, when the Gomonshu Koshin Otani came to PABT to conduct the Buddhist confirmation ceremony for Bay District members and I received the Buddhist name of Jodo, or rough translation as “correct way.” Since becoming a member, I was asked to join the choir, become one of the obon odori dance leaders, and have served two different 3-year terms on the board, including two years as 1st VP and one as President. I’ve also taught a tai chi class and have donated most of the tuition fees back to the Dharma school for their Japan trips. 

 

Scott Lew: Scott Lew:  Scott has been a Temple member for about seven years.  His children, Mackenzie and Alexander, both attend Dharma School after service, and he enjoys helping his wife, Angie, and the other Dharma School teachers.  He is currently on the Medaka no Gakko (Japanese culture summer program) board as the Temple Liaison.