Yoshihiro Tsuchida (known to all of us as Hiro) was born in Chicago on March 13, 1969 to parents Miyako and the late Thomas Tsuchida. Hiro grew up in the Rogers Park neighborhood along with his two younger sisters, Mika and Masa.
Hiro attended Stone Academy for elementary school, and then graduated from Gordon Tech High School. He attended both Northeastern Illinois University and Oakton Community College, but it was evident that...
...his true passions did not involve a classroom.”
Since he was a kid, Hiro loved riding his BMX dirt bike, and participated in years of BMX racing competitions. He transitioned into BMX Flatland freestyle in his teens, and started competing in Flatland competitions all over the country, and abroad. When Hiro was passionate about something, he always delivered 110% and was extremely competitive. He won so many medals and trophies that they filled his bedroom, the family room and eventually overflowed into the garage of his parent’s home! In 1991, Hiro and friends created the Fastbreak Freestyle Trick Team, and performed at various parades, events, and even appeared on WGN’s Bozo Show!
Hiro was a noted BMX flatland pioneer and rider. He worked tirelessly to promote, mentor, and showcase flatland riding skills in Chicago, and across the country, over the course of almost 4 decades!
He made many lifelong friends along this journey.
When it came to a “traditional” or “conventional” career, Hiro was a late bloomer. When his father suffered a stroke at the end of 1999, Hiro took over the management of his father’s taxi cab business. But it wasn’t until Hiro was in his 30’s, that he found his true career calling as a commercial and residential Real Estate Broker. He was also a proud member of the Chicago Association of REALTORS®. Hiro was passionate about his job, hard-working, professional, and never compromising his ethics.
In 1998, Hiro met his lovely wife, Aileen, and the two dated and then married in the Fall of 2006. Their son, Jason was born the following year in 2007. Hiro was a man dedicated to providing for his family. He was a devoted father to Jason, and scheduled his work and BMX life around Jason’s love for basketball and his basketball schedule. In turn, Hiro also shared his love for BMX Flatland with Jason and taught him various Flatland tricks, and this father and son duo would perform together in parades.
“I’ve lived a life that’s full. I’ve traveled each and every highway. And more, much more than this… I did it my way.”
These are some of the lyrics from the song My Way by Frank Sinatra, which exemplifies the life lead by Hiro Tsuchida. Hiro’s life was cut short on Monday, February 25, just shy of celebrating his 50th birthday, however, Hiro lived a remarkable life in only what could be described as… Hiro’s way! He was admired and loved by many, and leaves an amazing legacy behind, that his family is very proud of.
Please share any photos or videos you have of Hiro and we will post them on this website. Send them to paul@pono.design.
Top homepage photo by John Cousert.