Edwin Masanobu Nakasone

Edwin Masanobu "Bud" Nakasone, age 99, long-time resident of White Bear Lake and Saint Paul, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on October 19, 2026.

Bud was born on April 29, 1927, in Wahiawa, Hawaii, to Matsukichi and Ushii Nakasone. He was a World War II veteran and later rose to the rank of Colonel in the Army Reserve. Bud obtained undergraduate and graduate degrees from the Universities of Hawaii and Minnesota.

Bud was the beloved husband of Mary A. Nakasone; loving father of John G. (Jacqueline) Nakasone and Paul M. (Susan) Nakasone; cherished grandfather of Jacob (Allie) Nakasone, Mariko (Dan) Dahl, Natalie Nakasone, Sarah Nakasone, Daniel Nakasone, David Nakasone, and Joseph Nakasone; and proud great-grandfather to Charlotte, Lucy, Vivian, Madeline, Elliana, Genevieve, Seamus, and Declan. He is survived by his brother, James S. Nakasone (Norma) and sister-in-law, Christine Costello.

He was preceded in death by his siblings Matsue (Takeo) Shimabukuro, Matsuzen Nakasone, Kay (Ulson) Nakamura, Nancy (Jack) Blalock, Jeanette (Joe) Matsukawa, Walter (Barbara) Nakasone, Marian (James) Iha, and Edgar (Takako) Nakasone.

Bud was passionate about education, and generations of students were drawn to his enthusiasm, memorable lectures, and gift for bringing history to life through storytelling. He took special pride in his family in both Hawaii and Minnesota, his Army service, and the four decades he devoted to teaching.

A Visitation will be held on Monday, October 26, 2026 at 9:30 AM with the Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:00 AM at Nativity of our Lord Catholic Church, 1938 Stanford Avenue, Saint Paul. Private Interment.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Bud Nakasone Scholarship Fund at Century College are preferred.