Ron Kenmotsu Interview Segment 1

Born in a concentration camp (ddr-densho-1000-546-1) - 0:03:35
Family history: raised by another family in camp (ddr-densho-1000-546-2) - 0:03:14
Early childhood memories (ddr-densho-1000-546-3) - 0:03:12
Living in a duplex as a child (ddr-densho-1000-546-4) - 0:05:45
Memories of the other family living in childhood duplex home (ddr-densho-1000-546-5) - 0:05:06
Parents left home under the care of a neighbor during the war (ddr-densho-1000-546-6) - 0:09:16
Living in family's hotel: starting a fire as kids (ddr-densho-1000-546-7) - 0:05:57
Helping in family's hotel and attending school (ddr-densho-1000-546-8) - 0:05:55
Finding out about informal adoption, getting sick from stress (ddr-densho-1000-546-9) - 0:08:37
Change in demeanor after finding out about family history (ddr-densho-1000-546-10) - 0:09:33
Using birth name in the military (ddr-densho-1000-546-11) - 0:05:17
Participating in community activities, sports (ddr-densho-1000-546-12) - 0:06:38
Being officially adopted while serving in the military (ddr-densho-1000-546-13) - 0:04:32
Learning about birth family (ddr-densho-1000-546-14) - 0:03:21
First opening up about adoption (ddr-densho-1000-546-15) - 0:02:28
Serving in Korea (ddr-densho-1000-546-16) - 0:10:05
A positive experience serving in Korea (ddr-densho-1000-546-17) - 0:04:38
Serving with a Test Unit back in the United States (ddr-densho-1000-546-18) - 0:05:22
Returning home after military service (ddr-densho-1000-546-19) - 0:04:17
Working at the Federal Reserve and Wells Fargo (ddr-densho-1000-546-20) - 0:04:44
Thoughts on the protests against the Vietnam War (ddr-densho-1000-546-21) - 0:04:52
Working for Wells Fargo in their technology department (ddr-densho-1000-546-22) - 0:08:37
Meeting future wife and getting married (ddr-densho-1000-546-23) - 0:05:44
Raising a family (ddr-densho-1000-546-24) - 0:03:20
Telling family about adoption, feeling a sense of relief (ddr-densho-1000-546-25) - 0:09:30
Son Derek's experience hearing about father's adoption (ddr-densho-1000-546-26) - 0:09:59
Reflections (ddr-densho-1000-546-27) - 0:02:23
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Densho
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SEGMENT ID

ddr-densho-1000-546-1 ()

SEGMENT DESCRIPTION

Born in a concentration camp

0:03:35 — Segment 1 of 27

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DATE

June 18, 2024

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PARENT COLLECTION

Densho Visual History Collection

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CONTRIBUTOR

Densho

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Courtesy of Densho

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Densho
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INTERVIEW ID

ddr-densho-1000-546

NARRATOR

Ron Kenmotsu

INTERVIEW TITLE

Ron Kenmotsu Interview

2:36:49 — 27 segments

DATE

June 18, 2024

LOCATION

San Mateo, California

DESCRIPTION

Male, born October 18, 1943, at the Amache (Colorado River) concentration camp, Colorado. Grew up in San Francisco, California, where parents ran a hotel. At a young age, found out that he had been informally adopted at birth while at Amache. After high school, volunteered for the U.S. Army and served in Korea. While in the military, went through the formal adoption process with the family who had raised him. After serving, worked at the Federal Reserve and then for Wells Fargo Bank in their computer and technology department. Did not reveal his family history to his family until his sons were grown.

PRODUCTION

Tom Ikeda, interviewer; Dana Hoshide, videographer

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CONTRIBUTOR

Densho

PREFERRED CITATION

Courtesy of Densho

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API