Master Allen Wheeler
The late Master Allen Wheeler was well known in the world of
Isshin-Ryu Karate. Born October 11, 1919, he was involved with athletics and martial arts all his life. He played football
and baseball in high school and served his country as an Automatic Rifleman and hand-to-hand combat instructor with the United
States Army in the European Theater during WWII. He received numerous civic awards for community service and was a member
of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Master Allen Wheeler was the founding president of the Okinawan
Karate-Do Union, established in 1986. He successfully operated Wheeler's School of Karate in Powell Tennessee for
over 25 years. The dojo is owned and operated today by former student and business partner, Sensei Chuck Reynolds. Master
Wheeler was dedicated to helping others through teaching Isshin-Ryu Karate. He was an icon in the Powell community, and serves
as an example and inspiration to the many people whose lives he has touched.
Master Wheeler pioneered pressure point applications in Isshin-Ryu
Karate and his Powell, TN dojo is hosting "The Master Series" a 10-year series of seminars providing education in acupuncture
theory as it applies to Isshin-Ryu. In addition, he co-authored a series of three books titled "Dynamics of Isshin-Ryu Karate"
and personally authored three additional books; including his latest, Allen Wheeler 'In His Own Words.
Some of Master Wheelers' Awards include:
|
|
Promoted
to go-dan by Isshinryu founder Grand Master Tatsuo Shimabuku |
|
|
Founder
and First President of the Okinawan Karate Do Union |
|
|
PhD, in
Sanchin Kata given by the "College of Yudansha
of the Worlds" |
|
|
Martial
Arts Hall of Fame, 1988 |
|
|
International
Isshinryu Karate Association Instructor of the Year 1980 |
|
|
World Martial
Arts Hall of Fame 1992 |
|
|
International
Isshinryu Karate Association Hall of Fame 1983 |
|
|
International
Karate and Kickboxing Hall of Fame 1993 |
|
|
Master
Shimabuku Award - The highest honor presented by the Okinawan Karate Do Union |
|
|
World Martial
Arts Hall of Fame "Head Founders of the Year" 2000 |
|
|
Hawaiian
International Martial Arts Association Lifetime Achievement Award 2003 |
Much can be said about the
influence that Master Wheeler has had on his students, but it can best be summed up in an excerpt from his eulogy, written
& presented by Sensei John Dritt on February 17, 2005.
“Master Wheeler was the
best kind of hero and role model. It had nothing to do with what he said or the way he taught karate. It was the way he lived
his life.
Master Wheeler was also a role
model for what it means to be a man. He showed us through his actions that:
A
good man puts God first in his life and strives every day to live by the teachings of Jesus Christ.
A
strong man takes care of his family, and brings honor to his wife by his actions when she is not around.
A
brave man knows that there will come a time when he must make a stand on principles, do what he knows as right regardless
of the personal consequences, and let the chips fall where they may.
A
kind man goes out of his way to help others, silently, daily, and without expectation.
A
successful man can achieve any goal with hard work, determination, and belief in himself.
A
great man can accept a student like me, give me more than I deserve, take less that I owe, and always welcome me home, because
he is glad to see me.
A rich man has many people who love him.”
Grandmaster
Allen Wheeler
Born
October 11, 1919-Died February 14, 2005
