SENSEI
Those who made the road
before
Thomas C. Voelker
Isshinryu lineage: Tatsuo Shimabukuro >
Harry G. Smith
> Thomas C. Voelker
August
15th, 1926 - July 22, 2003
Following service in the military during the Korean
War, and with a physical arts background of teaching weightlifting,
bodybuilding, judo and wrestling, Thomas Voelker began his career in
the martial arts in 1963, at the age of 36, in the Pittsburgh school
founded by Harry Smith, leading practitioner of Isshinryu in the
United States. He trained in his early years with Bill Duessel and
Jim Lynn among others, and his presence in Pittsburgh at the time of
the visit of Tatsuo Shimabukuro in 1964 gave him first hand exposure
to the teachings of the founder of Isshinryu.
Mr. Voelker was awarded his black belt in September
of 1966. He studied and trained with his Okinawan sensei, Angi Uezu,
during his visits to the United States. Master Uezu verified Mr.
Voelker’s advancement and recommended promotion by Tatsuo
Shimabukuro from 2nd through 5th Dan. Further training and
correspondence with Kichiro Shimabukuro produced his 6th degree
promotion after the Master’s death.
Mr. Voelker taught karate, self-defense, and
women’s self-defense at three Pittsburgh colleges. He also
maintained concurrent karate instruction at four Pittsburgh YMCA’s
and various other club locations, allowing him to draw in students
from a wide geographical range in Western Pennsylvania.
His longest running class, at the North Hills YMCA
of Pittsburgh, has been in continuous operation since 1972. Since
his death, leadership of his class has passed to his long time
students and friends with Robert Wolf as head instructor.
Mr. Voelker’s teaching emphasized the fundamentals
of Isshinryu Karate: speed, power, and effectiveness. His primary
emphasis was on the practical fighting effectiveness of technique.
He coupled that emphasis with an extraordinary eye for detail amidst
a blur of movement.
Sensei Thomas C. Voelker is remembered as a true
friend and an uncompromising instructor who devoted his life to the
martial arts.
BACK |
