Robert Heisner
| Robert F. Heisner | |
|---|---|
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| Born | August 29, 1946 Niagara Falls, NY |
| Died | March 7, 2024 (aged 77) Niagara Falls |
| Style | Bushido Kai Karate, Shotokan, Aikijitsu, Bojutsu, Itosu Ryu, Kyokushin, Wado Ryu, and Tae Kwon Do |
| Teacher(s) | Nara Tominoshi, Hisao Hotta, Kaicho Tadashi Nakamura, Shihan Oyama, Hironori Otsuka, Jiro Otsuka, Cecil T. Patterson, and Park Jong Soo, |
| Rank | 9th dan |
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Robert Franklin Heisner (August 29, 1946 – March 7, 2024)[1] was an American martial arts expert who founded the Bushido Kai karate system in October 1989.[2][3] Heisner's martial arts career dates back to 1965.[4]
In addition to his martial arts expertise, Heisner was an ordained[3] Christian minister who served as an evangelist,[5] pastor,[3][6][7][8] and Bible teacher.[9][10]
Heisner combined his Bible training with his martial arts skills and established a karate ministry called the Warriors of the Sword.[11]
Early life and education
Robert Heisner was born in Niagara Falls, NY, to Franklin and Arlene Heisner.[1] His father, a decorated World War II Army veteran, served in significant battles such as D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge.[12] After the war, the family moved to Niagara Falls from Hazleton, PA, where Robert and his younger brother, Barry, were born.[1]
In school, Heisner was a competitive athlete, playing baseball[13][14][15] and weightlifting.[16]
At the age of 15, Robert developed an interest in martial arts. He appreciated the discipline and rigorous training involved, believing that it would help him lead a successful life by fostering character development, improving his physical conditioning, and providing practical self-defense skills. He started studying karate by using books from the library.[17]
At a young age, Heisner decided to follow the teachings of Christianity and to share his faith.[15][18] He later incorporated this faith into founding the Warriors of the Sword evangelistic demonstration team[11] and developing the Bushido Kai[19] martial arts system.
He studied the Bible and ministry at the Elim Bible Institute and College between 1974 and 1978.[20][21] He held ordination credentials[3][22][23][21] with Elim Fellowship.
At eighteen, Heisner enlisted in the military and was stationed in Hokkaido, Japan, during the Vietnam conflict, where he furthered his interest in martial arts.[3][24]
Martial arts training
Heisner started training in martial arts while stationed in Hokkaido, Japan, during his service in the United States Army from 1965 to 1967.[3]
Career
Early in Heisner's career, he worked in security, including his most notable assignment as a bodyguard for Elvis Presley, during his performance at the Niagara Falls Convention and Civic Center on July 13, 1975.[3] Heisner also provided security for other celebrities and hotel chains.[3]
Before entering full-time ministry, Heisner managed commercial martial arts schools and was a Niagara County Community College professor.[5][3] Heisner incorporated under the oversight of Park Jong Soo of Toronto, ON Canada.[25][26][27]
Robert Heisner was an evangelist, pastor, and college professor who held multiple black belts in various martial arts systems.[5][3] He integrated his Christian faith with his extensive martial arts training in his evangelistic work.[5][3]
Heisner focused on spreading the hope he found in his Christian faith to others, often through outreach to youth.[5][3] Heisner believed that using martial arts was an effective tool in reaching young people.[5][3] This ministry priority was frequently shown through free or affordable programs and by providing work scholarships.[5][3]
Heisner's programs taught martial arts, weightlifting, and exercise to strengthen the body while incorporating spiritual disciplines into the curriculum.[5][3]
Heisner's ministry and martial arts careers were frequently interwoven throughout his life.[3]
Ministries and organizations that Heisner founded or participated in include New Life Christian Ministries,[5] the Warriors of the Sword,[11] and the Bushido Kai style of karate taught at the Project Future WNY center.[3][28]
Community involvement
Heisner was a person dedicated to positively impacting every community he engaged with. For example, he served as a Niagara County Juvenile Task Force member and offered a youth martial arts program to the Niagara-Wheatfield School District.[3] A significant theme of Heisner's community activity was to "kick drugs and violence out of schools."[3]
Personal life and death
Heisner married Marianne Murdock in 1965. The couple remained married until Heisner's death and had one daughter, Stacey.[5][1]
He died on March 7, 2024.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Obituary for Robert 'Bob' Heisner at M.J. Colucci & Son Niagara Funeral Chapel". www.mjcoluccifuneralchapel.com. Retrieved 2025-01-25.
- ↑ "Martial arts teacher combines kicks with faith". Niagara Frontier Publications.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 "Apr 02, 1995, page 44 - The Buffalo News at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2025-01-20.
- ↑ Black Belt Magazine - May 1965 - Letter Written. Active Interest Media, Inc. p. 57. Search this book on
- ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 "Feb 15, 1982, page 2 - The Buffalo News at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2025-01-20.
- ↑ "Jun 20, 1992, page 38 - The Buffalo News at Newspapers.com - Newspapers.com". www.newspapers.com. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
- ↑ "Feb 24, 1991, page 72 - The Buffalo News at Newspapers.com - Newspapers.com". www.newspapers.com. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
- ↑ "Tonawanda News - October 1, 1983 - Assistant Pastor" (PDF). p. 6.
- ↑ "The Spirit 19 September 1988 — The NYS Historic Newspapers". nyshistoricnewspapers.org. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
- ↑ "The Spirit 4 February 1980 — The NYS Historic Newspapers". nyshistoricnewspapers.org. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 "Martial arts | Warriors of the Sword Christian Martial Arts". Warriors of the Swor. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
- ↑ "NARA - AAD - Display Full Records - Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938 - 1946 (Enlistment Records)". aad.archives.gov. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
- ↑ "Niagara Falls Gazette - August 30, 1960 - Heisner drives in winning run" (PDF).
- ↑ "Niagara Falls Gazette - Heisner hits a home run" (PDF).
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Niagara Falls Gazette - Heisner and one other prevent a no-hitter with home runs" (PDF).
- ↑ "Niagara Falls Gazette - Heisner competed at the New York High School Weightlifting Championships" (PDF).
- ↑ Heisner, Robert; Dallmann, Robert. "The Definitive History of Bushido Kai".
- ↑ "Niagara Falls Gazette 21 March 1969 — The NYS Historic Newspapers". nyshistoricnewspapers.org. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
- ↑ "Bushido Kai: The Style of the Martial Arts Warrior". Bushido Kai. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
- ↑ "The Spirit 4 February 1980 — The NYS Historic Newspapers". nyshistoricnewspapers.org. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 "The Spirit 2 March 1981 — The NYS Historic Newspapers". nyshistoricnewspapers.org. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
- ↑ "The Spirit 27 September 1976 — The NYS Historic Newspapers". nyshistoricnewspapers.org. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
- ↑ "The Spirit 4 February 1980 — The NYS Historic Newspapers". nyshistoricnewspapers.org. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
- ↑ "Niagara Falls Gazette 13 December 1966 — The NYS Historic Newspapers". nyshistoricnewspapers.org. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
- ↑ "Jul 12, 1973, page 47 - The Buffalo News at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
- ↑ "Oct 17, 1973, page 7 - Record-Advertiser at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
- ↑ "The Spectrum 30 September 1974 — The NYS Historic Newspapers". nyshistoricnewspapers.org. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
- ↑ "Bushido Kai - Karate Classes and Self-Defense Training". Bushido Kai. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
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