Hiroshi Ismael

Hirosi Ismael (1936 – July 25, 2008) became a Micronesian politician after ending his medical practice. Ismael served as the third Vice President of the Federated States of Micronesia from May 1987 until 1991.^[1]

He was born in 1936. Ismael was a native of Kosrae, but he grew up in Pohnpei where he attended school. He served in a variety of top positions within the United Nations' Administration of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands before the FSM achieved its independence.^[1]

Ismael became the third Vice President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) in May 1987, a position he held until 1991.^[1] He returned to his home state of Kosrae after leaving office, where he wanted to live his live farming, read his books and go to church. Only after he was requested by some local politicians did he go back into politics but only on an advisory position to the then Governor of Kosrae, afterwards he felt that he had to go back to the medical field but only to help with the administrative side was he appointed the Director of Health Dept. He also became a Reverend to his church of Utwe. He was a simple man really who loved his fried chicken and Chinese checkers. When he found that he had cancer he went to the Philippines for treatments, after realizing the treatments were taking its toll on him, he decided to go back home and spend the rest of his life with his family. His last few hours were spent with his wife, daughter and grandchildren. His wife said that "he went with a smile on his face". Dr. Hirosi Ismael was a very humble man that only wanted what was good for the people of Kosrae and FSM and he lived his life by example.^[1]

Hirosi Ismael died on July 31, 2008, at his home in Kosrae at the age of 72.^[1] He was survived by his wife, Mitchigo Skilling, as well as their children: Greeno, Grant, Loto, Paul, Kenye and Ruth.^[1]

The Micronesian Government released a statement honoring Ismael following his August 1, 2008, memorial service praising him for his service to the country: "Ismael's leadership, commitment and guidance during the nation's early efforts toward self-government earned him the respect of his colleagues and the people of the Federated States of Micronesia."^[2]

References

• Official biography at the Wayback Machine (archived April 14, 2008)