combat karate

IRON SHARPENS IRON

Ralph Viggiano Combat Karate

COMMEMORATIVE

This Page is Dedicated

to the fallen warriors
who have touched our hearts
with their unique personalities
and have left us too early in life.

These Black Belts
have gone on before us
to prepare the way.

Grand Master Johnny Kuhl

In February of 2003
Hanshi Ralph Viggiano and his wife Kathleen placed two white lilies
as symbols of homage to a fallen Samurai
on their dear friend and revered Senseis casket.
Friends and students filled the church hall paying their last respects to
Grand Master Johnny Kuhl.
He succumbed to illness on the 10th of January 2003.
This date has become a memorial throughout the
"Combat Karate System"
that Soke Kuhl developed.

As an ambassador and representative of Goju's Maestro Peter Urban,
Sensei Sekwii Sha brought a third white lily that was
obeisantly befitting of one Masters esteem for another.
Although many flower arrangements graced the hall,
only three white lilies starkly dressed the casket
sending Soke Kuhl off to that
"Greater Dojo in the Sky"

Johnny Kuhl brought a sense of stability to those around him.
Bigger than life itself,
he did things that most of us would not even attempt to do.
Above all, his friendship left us with much to smile about.
With all his special talents, he made us laugh and see things in a different light.
His spontaneous response to situations
always kept us in sync with his unique personality.
Of course we'll miss his leadership in the Martial Arts
most of all.

    George Romano, Yodan
Attained Yodan in 1981

George Romano was already training when Hanshi Viggiano
started class with Johnny Kuhl. His ebullient personality
carried us through many a night at the dojo
and especially afterwards at the bar.
There wasn't a joke that George didn't know
and his unique presentation
kept us laughting into the wee hours of the night.
George and Viggiano instantly got along
and remained friends until his untimely death
at 52 years of age in 1989.
18 months before that time he suffered a stroke, but made remarkable progress
even teaching class along side of Master Kuhl.
In 1980, George appeared on the cover of Warrior's Magazine with MasterKuhl.
Sport Karate Magazine in 1989 carried his death notice.



Al Weiss, Godan
Attained Godan in 1977

Al Weiss and Johnny Kuhl were friends as early as 1960.
Al was an editor of karate magazines
with "Official Karate" his most notable.
Master Kuhl graced its cover on many occasions with his top black belts.
Throughout the years, Al attended our ranking promotions signing diplomas.
Hanshi Viggiano's Sandan diploma was signed by Al Weiss.



Henry Peers, Shodan
Attained Shodan in 1979

Black Belts struggle many years to reach heights that few will ever attain.
Besides the physical battles, mental wars take there toll.
Henry fought harder than anyone I've ever met - every day of his life.
A product of the 'sixties', he battled with drug addiction until the day he died.
Sensei recalls the many times when after sparring all night in class
and everyone was exhausted, that Henry would still be standing there
ready to take on one more combatant.
He was tenacious, tough when it counted,
but a sweet heart of a man.
He once surprised Sensei while walking to class
from behind with a bear hug.
After I helped him off the ground he said he now sees
the practical application of Combat Karate.
He never tried that foolish move again.
I miss your kind heart, Henry
He was a Black Belt, well deserved.



   Stan Yee, Shodan
Attained Shodan in 1988

Stan Yee was training with Master Kuhl
before Hanshi Viggiano's first class.
He also practiced other forms of martial arts,
but always returned to Johnny Kuhl
to train in the reality of self-defense.
Over the years Viggiano and Yee developed a mutual respect for one another.
Although never getting to know Yee very well, I was always sure that he was a friend to
"Johnny Kuhl Combat Karate" and therefore a friend to me.
He was a classy guy and becoming a black belt of "Johnny Kuhl Combat Karate"
was important to him - very much so.
After his Shodan promotion, he made sure that we took a picture together.
Over the years he missed many of the photo opportunities to have stood by my side.
A great personal compliment to me that I will always cherish and remember him by.
A man of few words. Sensei can relate to that, and he did with Stan Yee.



   Bruce Sobol
Attained a place in Sensei's heart

I liked Bruce very much.
He had a way about him that made you feel comfortable.
There is a lot to be said for a person like that.
Always effervescent, he tried too hard to do too much.
I only wish he came to class more often.
He would have benefited from Sensei's way of life;
just what he need desperately.
A gentle man who needed strong guidance.
I felt a brotherly connection that never got the chance to connect.
He was always respectful and yearned for more meaning to his life.
A sweet, gentle man. Rest in peace my little brother.
You are well remembered.





There have been many deshi that passed through
the threshold of our dojo over the years.
Some stay a short time.
The few that stay longer are the ones who become the ryu,
Hanshi's extended family.
Those mentioned above will always be venerated as family members of
"Johnny Kuhl Combat Karte".
They all had similar qualities:
resolve, resilience and respect for what they undertook.
In their own special ways, they all expressed homage
to our friend and Sensei, Johnny Kuhl.
I fondly recall the laughter, determination and mutual respect
shared during the many hours of rigorous workouts,
as we traveled down that long arduous road
to Black Belt.

With fond memories of your friendship and respect - OSS

Hanshi Ralph Viggiano
Combat Karate

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