I first met Colonel Ishikata at the Academic Bowl competition in July 2021. The first few minutes talking to him all my anxieties from the completion melted away and his kindness and gentleness comforted me. The next day he came along with us to explore D.C. with us. I remember he bought us a TEN dollar balloon just because we said it was cool. I will always appreciate his kindness, thoughtfulness, and calmness.
Loved George! When George, Terry, Wayne & Grace deployed in the ‘90’s I prayed for their safe return- then continued while the others returned & George went to Kosovo- I’m saddened by his loss & the loss to our program- Rest In Peace, George
I first met George at COBC in 2010. Ever gracious with a calm and friendly demeanor, he was kind to all who worked with him regardless of their experience level and often took time to guide and coach them. Thank you, George.
Our deepest sympathies to Lena and the Ishikata Family. George’s leadership and friendship has empowered superiors and peers alike. His most enduring impact are qualities seen in our future leaders who he educated and mentored.
I would always make fun of him for being the region commander, like “Can I get a picture with the region commander?” or “Wow the region commander is at our squadron!” and we would laugh about it.
He was a very special person, loved and respected by all, I’ve known George since I joined the 223rd Dec 1991, he was always a smile away.
I first met Colonel Ishikata at the Academic Bowl competition in July 2021. The first few minutes talking to him all my anxieties from the completion melted away and his kindness and gentleness comforted me. The next day he came along with us to explore D.C. with us. I remember he bought us a TEN dollar balloon just because we said it was cool. I will always appreciate his kindness, thoughtfulness, and calmness.
I first met COL Ishikata in CAP. He later recruited me into the 223rd in January of 1990. I spent the next 18 years on a glorious romp around the globe visiting foreign countries meeting new and wonderful people and then going home. He will be missed.
Thank you for the life lessons, George.
Once, he took the entire squadron to Fort Funston to play Capture the Flag… in the dark. As he let us -11 year olds to 17 year olds- fumble and tackle each other in the dark with glee, he mumbled to those of us laughing on the sidelines, “This could be a great exercise in leadership, or a sh*t storm.” It was both. And we loved him for it. 🙂 He will always be the…
George is, and will always be, a hero to myself and everyone who was fortunate to come into contact with him. There isn’t a memory or instance I wouldn’t trade. Calm, cool, collected, and in charge. What an incredible person and leader! After nearly 15 years of contact, it feels like yesterday, where he provided his insight and direction selflessly. His persona was contagious. You wanted to be around him. He had a magnetic personality.…
George was the calm before, during and after the storm.
I knew George since we were 17. He will be greatly missed.
My memory of George was he was the epitome of excellence in action.
It’s still difficult to believe that George has left us. As a school board member, I fought to keep JROTC a vibrant program and had the privilege of working closely with the JROTC instructors including George. His work with students was extraordinary, always going to extra mile. When I mounted an underdog campaign for office, George supported me in countless ways. He was always the first volunteer to arrive and the last to leave for…
Years and years of laughter, smiles and love at CAP events. George was family over the past 35 years
A friend and mentor who was always there for you , especially in those hard times.
A wonderful mentor and friend. He will be dearly missed.
Dad at COBC
A wonderful person and friend.
Was a good friend and confidant.
I had the pleasure of attending COBC as a cadet with George as the commandant. He was always smiling. While having lunch with him during the course, he had this amazing way of diving into leadership things and leading you to the answers all while making you think you arrived to those answers on your own accord. He was great at dropping some knowledge and walking away leaving you alone for the light bulb to…
I remember how George supported the veterans preference in the BMR housing legislation. We brought it to the Commission’s attention a year ago when I met George. He was a very inspirational leader and was very supportive. I really appreciate his leadership in every board meeting being the referee.
Unfortunately I never got to meet Col Ishikata in person but from what I saw he was leading us in the right direction.
My favorite part about COBC was listening to George every night. I will miss hearing the Giving Tree read to us by him.
Too many to think about. George was my best friend, the person I could share anything with, and someone I could count on (as was I to him). We met in high school, got to know each other in CAP (Squadron 86, Excellence in Action), experienced encampment and COBC and so many cadet activities. After retirement, we got back involved in Squadron 86, and were able to get together and just hang out. I don’t…
My name is Samantha, Colonel called me Sammi. Up until this point I hadn’t given it much thought but Sammi is a name for me that’s reserved for my family. Since I considered him family, I never gave it a second thought once he started calling me that. Colonel always made sure to come out and support me if I performed in a talent show or anything and always made sure I knew I had…
Known to me only by a common friend who extolled George’s wonderful character.
I first met Colonel Ishikata at the Academic Bowl competition in July 2021. The first few minutes talking to him all my anxieties from the completion melted away and his kindness and gentleness comforted me. The next day he came along with us to explore D.C. with us. I remember he bought us a TEN dollar balloon just because we said it was cool. I will always appreciate his kindness, thoughtfulness, and calmness.
I personally didn’t know Colonel Ishikata very well but I do know that he made a very big impact on the people around him especially those in JROTC and will be always be remembered by his students, friends, and family as someone you could always rely on.
My first year at camp parks I needed medicine he went out of his way and beyond to get me the medicine I needed.
I never knew him personally, but he was a huge help to Lowell’s JROTC program. Thank you!
Buying dim sum for him and having brunch.
He is a friend and colleague and will not be forgotten. I will fight the fight for JROTC that I will promise under your name.
Volunteer to be the lead Judge for the Veterans Day Parade 2021!
He was a kind and supporting mentor. You could find him cracking jokes when cadets were under pressure and always bring a smile to their faces.
Always kind to others, although he looked at me funny sometimes.
He always thought i was the BDE CSM when I’m the XO!
George was such a champion for young people and cared about offering them a channel for discipline structure, and personally well-being in their lives through JROTC. He will be missed. His manner and style was calming.
Being in Lincoln JROTC and seeing his great smile every time he walks into the room or being super humble every where I see him. Every time I talk to him, he always says “hey hunter, how are you?” I’ll miss everything about you colonel and I’ll miss our great laughs and you are very supportive no Matter what. Never forget! A great mentor, friend, and you created a huge mustang family!
It’s still difficult to believe that George has left us. As a school board member, I fought to keep JROTC a vibrant program and had the privilege of working closely with the JROTC instructors including George. His work with students was extraordinary, always going to extra mile. When I mounted an underdog campaign for office, George supported me in countless ways. He was always the first volunteer to arrive and the last to leave for…
Colonel Ishikata was the calmest, most even-keeled leader with whom I have ever worked. He was a joy to be around.
During my mission on the JCAT I got to know COL Ishikata as a leader, mentor, and friend. He paved the way in looking at life from a viewpoint that changed my life for the positive. He wrote a recommendation for my dissertation program and helped me pave the road to my current career. So many good memories and enjoyable times over the years that I’ve known him. George will always be remembered by how…
Col Ishikata visited Alaska in September 2021 and professed to be a big fan. All who had a chance to meet him or hang out with him were blessed by his insight and enthusiasm. We miss him greatly!
George was one of the first CAP’ers I met after I moved to San Francisco in ‘96. I instantly liked him. I could tell right away that he was one of *us*, CAP senior members who had gone through the program themselves, for whom the Cadet Program held a special place in their heart. At my 3rd meeting in SF, a serious “ok, what now” meeting took place just as George was headed off to…
So there we were: Baghdad, 2008 or 2009. I was in Iraq on an assignment that took me around the country and occasionally had to check in at the Combined Intelligence Operations Center (CIOC) housed in what was known as the “Perfume Palace” (known as such because it resembled a bottle of perfume and unconfirmed rumors about its use by Saddam’s sons). I spotted a familiar-looking bespectacled Asian colonel across the large room during a…
George was an incredible leader and mentor. I will be forever grateful for the lessons he taught me as he empowered me to make decisions and stand by them confidently as an uncertain young adult. A decade later the impact he had on my life is still directly evident in many ways. I will miss his hugs, his smile, his warmth, and his friendship. And I’ll never forget how much he hated our hike, but…
George was always there…that one person you could count on for guidance no matter how much time had passed. He had a calming, kind voice that I will forever remember.
Rest well, sir!
I am really going to miss you George. Thank you being a rock for me as I grew up and not only teaching me but showing me. You taught me how to ask questions and how to truly be kind and giving. It will take me a lifetime to compile the words, thoughts and feelings I have for our friendship and how much you meant to me and my family. I love you George. …
