In Memoriam: Keith Terasaki
Remembering a visionary leader and compassionate humanitarian
UCLA College | January 28, 2025
A dear friend and pillar of the UCLA community, Keith Terasaki died Dec. 22, 2024, leaving a remarkable legacy of countless lives touched, Bruin and otherwise. Following in the footsteps of his father, the legendary Paul Terasaki, Keith Terasaki dedicated himself to scientific and philanthropic leadership.
A double Bruin who graduated from the UCLA College with a B.A. in math/applied science as well as an M.D. from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Terasaki went on to become an interventional radiologist and chairman of the Terasaki Institute and the Terasaki Family Foundation.
With his wife Cecilia and their children through their family foundation, Keith Terasaki made an impressive philanthropic impact, including supporting the general scholarship fund at UCLA, the Four Deep Student Athlete Scholarships, the UCLA Japan Center, the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, and the UCLA Galactic Center Group.
In addition to serving on the Second Century Council, Terasaki was chair of the UCLA Terasaki Center Board of Advisors and a member of the Division of Life Sciences Advisory Board.
Especially important to him was endowing the Keith and Cecilia Terasaki Presidential Endowed Chair in the UCLA College Division of Life Sciences — held by Tracy Johnson, dean of the division — and the Keith and Cecilia Terasaki Endowed Chair in Physical Sciences, held by Alvine Kamaha.
“We know firsthand how incredible our UCLA scientific community is — the work they are doing here and around the world is moving all fields forward,” Keith and Cecilia Terasaki told the UCLA College magazine last year. “We’re honored to be able to help Bruin scientists past, present and future continue to raise the bar on this incredible living legacy.”
For the cumulative breadth and depth of his Bruin leadership, dedication and compassion, Terasaki was named the 2023 Edward A. Dickson Alumnus of the Year.
As the Bruin community gratefully carries his example forward, we invite you to read the Terasaki Institute’s tribute to Keith Terasaki.
