Memorial Funds
The Bridging Foundation has established four Memorial Funds that provide named scholarships in memory of the Bishop Family, Robert Grondine, Jeremiah Trusty, and Ira Wolf. Donations to the Memorial Funds support U.S. undergraduates to study abroad in Japan.
Bishop Family Memorial Fund
The U.S.-Japan Bridging Foundation and the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ), with approval of the family, has established the Bishop Family Memorial Scholarship Fund in memory of Bill, Izumi, and Sophianna Bishop.
William ‘Bill’ Bishop spent more than 40 years living and working in Japan in the pharmaceutical industry. Arriving in Tokyo in 1974 as a student at Sophia University, he quickly developed a love for Japan and its people. After earning a M.A. from Temple University, where he later taught and served on its Board of Overseers, Bill built a career in healthcare and went on to hold positions at the subsidiaries of Eli Lilly and Company, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, and Becton, Dickinson and Company. In his role as a trade representative for the state of Indiana, he had an enormous impact on U.S.-Japan business dealings and formed many relationships that were instrumental in bringing Japan and the U.S. closer together. Later, he established a professional consultancy, Bill Bishop & Associates, leveraging his fluency in Japanese and deep experience in the field to provide services related to government relations, market development, and trade investment. From these achievements came recognition. Bill was selected as Chair of Healthcare Committee of The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) and was a lecturer at Temple University’s Tokyo Campus. Bill was known for his sense of humor, his very friendly personality, his fascinating stories, and spot-on recommendations of methods to bridge cultural differences.
Izumi Morita Bishop was a remarkable woman whose life touched the hearts of her family and those around her. She and her husband Bill shared a bond forged at Sophia University. Alongside Bill, she regularly joined the American Chamber of Commerce's Charity Ball, supporting worthy causes and strengthening their bond with the community. Izumi's dedication to her family was unparalleled, and her love and influence will forever inspire us.
Sophianna Morita Bishop was a creative specialist at Ogilvy Japan. Sophianna's extraordinary talent and vast intellect was quickly noticed by management and she was swiftly promoted to associate strategy director. She was a rising star in the company both in Japan and across Asia. Sophianna was an exceptional person—not only bright and intelligent, but a dedicated team leader who showed a strong commitment and passion for her work and clients. She will be remembered by all for her smile and ability to fill every room with positivity.
Bill & Izumi Bishop
Sophianna Bishop
Robert Grondine Memorial Fund
The Bridging Foundation established the Robert Grondine Memorial Fund in 2012 with the support of Bob’s family and the cooperation of his former law partners at White & Case. Robert was Valedictorian of his high school class, graduated magna cum laude from Dartmouth College, and earned his law degree from Boston University. He lived in Tokyo, Japan, and was an eminent partner at the international law firm of White & Case, where he helped build the firm from three lawyers to one of the largest international firms in Asia. He practiced in the area of commercial law, particularly mergers and acquisitions, structured finance and tax-effective transactions.
Robert had boundless energy and an insatiable desire to learn and see the world. In addition to his demanding law practice, he was Professor of Law at Keio University Law School in Tokyo and lectured at universities across the United States. He generously championed many charitable causes, mentored new attorneys, and was previously president and then chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan.
Robert Grondine
Jeremiah Trusty Memorial Fund
The Jeremiah Trusty Memorial Fund was established in 2022 to honor an extraordinary life full of love and ambition. Jeremiah Trusty lived his 38 years to the fullest as a singer, model, stylist, actor, comedian, and collegiate basketball player. His myriad talents were impressive, but it was his unique ability to touch lives around the world that truly set him apart.
Jeremiah grew up near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and earned an athletic scholarship to attend Wheaton College in Illinois from 2000-2004. Shortly following his graduation he embarked on a transformative journey to Japan for two years. During his time there, Jeremiah wholeheartedly embraced the culture and forged many meaningful connections through music and sports. His profound appreciation for Japanese traditions became a core part of his identity and he eagerly shared his love of Japan with everyone he met.
During 2020 and early 2021, the global pandemic raged alongside all-too-familiar patterns of racial injustice coming under heightened scrutiny across America. Throughout this challenging time, Jeremiah used his platform to be a clear voice of strength and resolve by boldly calling out what needs to change in America for his Black community to achieve equity. In March of 2021, Jeremiah tragically succumbed to the COVID-19 virus leaving behind masses of grief-stricken family and friends. As his loved ones mourned, an inspiring idea took root to honor Jeremiah's memory—a named scholarship fund. The Jeremiah Trusty Memorial Fund was created to emulate Jeremiah's formative trip abroad by supporting Black U.S. college & university students studying in Japan for a semester or year.
Jeremiah Trusty
Ira Wolf Memorial Fund
The Ira Wolf Memorial Fund was established by the Bridging Foundation in 2016 with the support of Ira’s family and colleagues in Washington, D.C., and Japan. Ira spent more than 25 years working with Asian-American trade issues, at the United States Trade Representative; Motorola; Kodak and others. After joining the foreign service following college graduation he spent more than half his adult life living in Asia, mostly in Japan. He loved all things Japanese, especially sushi, sumo and Japanese antiques. For the last decade of his life, Ira was Japan representative at Pharmaceutical Research Manufacturers of American (PhRMA). Ira was a passionate, generous, upbeat and loving father, grandfather, husband, colleague, mentor and friend. The Ira Wolf scholarship is awarded to a student who embodies Ira’s intellect and commitment to strengthening the U.S.-Japan relationship.
Ira Wolf