Wikipedia

Draft:Robert Heisner

Robert F. Heisner
Born(1946-08-29)August 29, 1946
Niagara Falls, NY
DiedMarch 7, 2024(2024-03-07) (aged 77)
Niagara Falls, NY
StyleBushido Kai Karate, Shotokan, Aiki-Jitsu, Bo-Jitsu, Itosu Ryu, Kyokushin Kai, Wado Ryu, and Tae Kwon Do
Teacher(s)Nara Tominoshi , Hisao Hotta, Tadashi Nakamura, Shihan Oyama, Hironori Otsuka, Jiro Otsuka, Cecil T. Patterson, and Park Jong Soo,
Rank9th dan

Robert Franklin Heisner, August 29, 1946 – March 7, 2024, founded the Bushido Kai[1] karate system.  Bushido Kai[1] is a martial art comprised of a combination of the seven different martial arts that Mr. Heisner was ranked in, as well as various other styles in which he trained.

Reverend Robert Heisner was also a Christian minister who served Jesus Christ as an evangelist, pastor, and Bible teacher. His love of God and the martial arts eventually led to his founding a Christian-based martial art called Bushido Kai,[1] a ministry called the Warriors of the Sword.[2]

Early life

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Robert "Bob" Heisner was born in Niagara Falls, New York, the son of Franklin[3] and Arlene Heisner[4].  Bob's father was a decorated World War II Army veteran who saw action at "D-Day" and "The Battle of the Bulge." After the war, Mr. Heisner's dad moved to Niagara Falls from Hazelton, Pennsylvania.  Robert and his younger brother Barry were born in Niagara Falls, NY.

At the age of 15, Robert was attracted to martial arts. The disciplines mandated within martial arts and rigorous training appeared desirable for developing a successful life, teaching character development, physical conditioning, and practical self-defense. Bob began studying karate from library books.

While in High School, Heisner made a commitment that would forever change his life.  During his junior year, Bob accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at a church service.  This commitment grew into a desire to share his Christian faith and the Biblical truths he had learned.  Later, he applied his faith to the development of the Bushido Kai[1] system of martial arts and the Warriors of the Sword[1] evangelistic demonstration team.

As a young Christian, Robert desired to learn something that was both challenging and practical.  His research into martial arts led him to believe he could apply his faith to his art and personal training.  This notion is what he sought to do from the onset of his karate training.

The Military

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Robert enlisted in the army and was stationed in Hokkaido, Japan, during the Vietnam conflict.  Mr. Heisner married his wife, Marianne, shortly before departing to serve his country abroad.  As a young Christian newlywed, he did not use his free time in ways familiar with many GIs.  Instead, he spent most of his off-duty hours training in various martial arts.

His dedication to Jesus and marital integrity helped steer him into the training that would be valuable throughout his life.

Family

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Robert Heisner was married to his wife Marianne for 59 years, and they had one daughter (Stacey.)

Education

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Robert commuted four years between Niagara Falls, NY, and Lima, NY, where he studied the Bible and ministry at Elim Bible Institute. Robert held ordination credentials with Elim Fellowship.

Security Work

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Bob headed up security for a local hotel that was part of a nationwide chain of hotels.  Heisner also worked as security for celebrities when they performed in the Buffalo, NY, area.  Most notable was working for Elvis Presley when he performed at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center on June 25, 1976.[5]  Mr. Heisner also did security work for Leif Garrett and others.

Bushido Kai Karate

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A martial art style was born from Robert Heisner's love of both Jesus and karate.  The Bushido Kai[1] system is an excellent blend of Robert's faith in Christ and the seven styles in which he held Black Belt/Instructor ranks.

Mr. Heisner was a lifelong student of the martial arts, and as such, the Bushido Kai[1] system is fluid and constantly developing.

Mr. Heisner founded Bushido Kai[1] late in 1989, and the system has grown and flourished since then.  This martial arts discipline developed from the following styles.

Style Instructor Rank Earned Training Location
Shotokan Karate Master Nara Tominoshi Shodan (First Degree) Black Belt Hokkaido, Japan
Aiki-Jitsu Master Nara Tominoshi Shodan (First Degree) Black Belt Hokkaido, Japan
Bo-Jitsu Master Nara Tominoshi Certified Instructor Hokkaido, Japan
Itosu Ryu Karate Master Hisao Hotta Nidan (Second Degree) Black Belt Hokkaido, Japan
Kyokushin Kai Karate Master Tadashi Nakamura[6]

and Shihan Oyama

Recognized as a Shodan (First Degree)

Black Belt

Brooklyn, NY

Bridgeport, CT

Wado Ryu Karate Shihan Hironori Otsuka

Mr. Cecil T. Patterson

Nidan (Second Degree) Black Belt Nashville, TN
Tae Kwon Do Master Park Jong Soo Chil dan (Seventh Degree) Black Belt Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Subsequently, Robert was awarded his Eighth and Ninth Degree Black Belts in Bushido Kai.[1]

The headquarters of the Bushido Kai[1] system is The Project Future Center[7] in Wheatfield, NY.

The Warriors of the Sword

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Robert Heisner initiated the Warriors of the Sword[2] ministry slightly before codifying the Bushido Kai[1] system.  Robert used his martial arts skills to attract attention and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Initially, Mr. Heisner and one or two of his karate students would do demonstrations on college campuses.  He was often invited by a B.A.S.I.C. (Brothers and Sisters in Christ) chapter, which was a college campus ministry organization.

From this concept, an evangelistic demonstration team was formed and traveled through the northeast United States and into Canada.  This team saw tremendous results, and local Warriors of the Sword[2] chapters began.  These were karate programs that were often taught in churches.

The ministry of the Warriors of the Sword[2] continues today and is directed by one of Rev. Robert Heisner's long-time students.

Death

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Early in the morning on March 7, 2024, Robert passed away in his sleep.[8]

Legacy

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Rev. Grandmaster Robert F. Heisner has left a legacy that has impacted multitudes of people.  He was a beloved martial arts instructor, respected, accepted, and embraced by the martial arts community.  His ministry impact led numerous people to be drawn to Jesus Christ, and some of these people were inspired by Robert Heisner to be involved in ministry themselves.

Mr. Heisner also left behind his Bushido Kai[1] martial arts system and the Warriors of the Sword[2] ministries.

Master Park Jong Soo once called Mr. Heisner the "grandfather of Tae Kwon Do in Western New York."

Mr. Heisner co-authored "The Definitive History of Bushido Kai[9]," which details the founding of the Bushido Kai[1] karate system. He wanted to document the history of his faith and training accurately, so he worked with one of his students to write this book.

Heisner also wrote the training manual for the Bushido Kai[1] system, which details the requirements for rank promotion.

Publications

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  • Heisner, Robert; Dallmann, Robert (2007). The Definitive History of Bushido Kai.
  • Heisner, Robert. Bushido Kai Training Manual. Niagara Falls, NY.

Photographic History

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  • A Brief Visual History of Robert Heisner's Martial Arts Background
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    1966 - Robert Heisner with Master Hisao Hotta and other students in Hokkaido, Japan.
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    January 1, 1970 - Wado Ryu - Mr. Heisner's Second Degree Black Belt Certificate - signed by Shihan Hironori Otsuka and Cecil T. Patterson
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    1970s - Jiro Otsuka, Robert Heisner, and Hironori Otsuka - taken while Mr. Heisner was training in Wado Ryu.
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    Tae Kwon Do - 1970s Yellow Pages advertisement - Master Park Jong Soo announces Robert (Bob) Heisner as one of his Second Degree Black Belt instructors.
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    1972 Tournament photo from Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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    1970s Yellow Pages advertisement for one of Robert Heisner's martial arts schools. The Niagara Falls, NY branch.
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    Mr. Heisner's karate school in Kenmore, NY. 1970s advertisement.
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    1980 photo of Robert Heisner doing a sidekick.
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    2007 - The cover of Robert Heisner's book detailing the History of Bushido Kai karate.

See also

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  • Black Belt Magazine - May 1965 - Page 57 - PVT Robert Heisner asked a karate question in the "Letters" section[10]
  • Black Belt Magazine - November 1975 - Pages 71-72 - several of Mr. Heisner's students are named competitors in the 4th Annual North American tournament[11]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Bushido Kai Karate". Project Future Center.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Martial arts | Warriors of the Sword Christian Martial Arts". Warriors of the Swor. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  3. ^ https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/L24Y-S4P/franklin-charles-heisner-1917-1987
  4. ^ https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/GPYV-VPT/arlene-heisner-1921-2005
  5. ^ "Internet search of Heisner Security for Elvis concert in Buffalo, NY".
  6. ^ "Grand Master Tadashi Nakamura".
  7. ^ https://projectfuturecenter.com/
  8. ^ "Obituary for Robert 'Bob' Heisner at M.J. Colucci & Son Niagara Funeral Chapel". www.mjcoluccifuneralchapel.com. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  9. ^ Heisner, Robert. "The Definitive History of Bushido Kai". Amazon.
  10. ^ Black Belt Magazine May 1965. 1965. p. 57.
  11. ^ Black Belt Magazine - November 1975. 1975. pp. 71–72.




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