The Nagatani Academic Center in the University of Hawai'i athletic department was a busy place yesterday with athletes studying, doing research on computers and receiving counseling in its well-appointed premises.

In short, it was precisely what its eclectic benefactor, Toshio "Bob" Nagatani, had envisioned when he donated $1 million to build the center in memory of his mother, Chica, nearly seven years ago.

For more than 40 years, until his death Wednesday at age 67, Nagatani took equal pride in the athletic and academic exploits of UH athletes, personally supporting both from a front row seat.

That few of the athletes knew of him was in keeping with his humble nature. In many ways he was the ultimate behind-the-scenes figure, an official statistician in basketball and football and a benefactor for all.

"He'll be sorely missed because he cared about the athletes and the academic side," said Riley Wallace, who knew Nagatani for more than a quarter century through UH basketball. "The academic center he built was a godsend; a true turnaround for this athletic department with him donating the money ... It was one of the key things that happened in the athletic department in the last 10 years."

"It was important to him; he wanted to help the athletes with their academics," said Nagatani's son, Anthony.

But the Chicago-born, Harvard-educated Nagatani invested more than money in helping athletes in his adopted home. Back in the late 1960s and early '70s, "he'd come to the (Hale Anuenue) dorm and tutor kids," recalls former UH football coach Larry Price.

Nagatani followed Harvard classmate and fellow WHRB disc jockey Jim Manke back to Hawai'i in the early '60s. While going to graduate school at UH, Nagatani helped teach classes, including a sociology class Price took. "He was always around sports and we didn't have anybody doing statistics then, so I got him to come help us," Price said. "He was a very intelligent man who could do lots of things."

Indeed, he'd tried his hand as a cowboy in Mexico for a while, telling friends he wanted to be the "first Japanese cowboy in Mexico" — played bass with a band that toured South America and performed at the old Forbidden City with Sammy Davis Jr.; been a beach boy; ran a canoe club and produced records for Jimmy Borges among others.

"He did it all but that was the kind of guy he was — one of a kind," recalls Al Konishi, a Big Island lawyer.

"I can see him right now walking in with his fishing vest, (cup of ) coffee in his hand and a smile," Wallace said. "It won't be the same without him."

But Nagatani's legacy of four decades of assistance to UH and his dreams for its athletes to reach their educational potential live on in the academic center that carries his name.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.