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Sadly I have to inform all that Grandmaster Richard “Dick” Willett died today. I’ll have more information soon but I wanted to get the word out as I know many of his students read this blog. The information I do have is Dick was admitted into the hospital yesterday and died today.
For the general readership that may not know – Dick Willett was the reason many of us (his students) excelled in life. After taking karate lessons from Master Willett – his students were taught to excel not only in karate but at any endeavour we pursued.
Dick started with Tracy’s Karate in Northern California and after getting his black belt – he moved to San Diego to open Tracy’s Karate Schools here. Mr. Willett was promoted to Judan (10th degree black belt) in 2008 by Al Tracy and was one of the few so highly ranked masters in the world.
For more information the school website is MMAKenpoKarate.com.
May 10th, 2012 at 9:04 am
John, thanks for posting. As I exspresed to you on the phone, this is a great loss. All of us that were students of Dick, especially those of us that are his 1st generation Black Belts, have suffered a great loss.
A few years ago, at the 40th anniversary of karate school Dick opened Al Tracy said that Dick had have continually produced some of the finest Kenpo Black Belts in the world and that he is honored that they have represented Dick and the Tracy organization with class.
Master Tracy also said that he saw Dick not as just being part of the “Golden Age of Karate” he believes Dick helped create the “Golden Age of Karate”
Joe Lewis said; Dick did not only produce some of the best Kenpo Black Belts in the world, Dick produced some of the best fighter’s period!”
We were all humble with a comment like that coming from Joe Lewis, one of the greatest fighters of all time.
I will miss my Instructor of 39 year, my coach and my friend; My God bless you Dick Willett.
I will post more about Dick later. For now I just ask all to keep Dick and his family in their prayers.
May 10th, 2012 at 10:30 pm
I was shocked and saddened to hear the news. We in the American Kenpo tribe have much to thank for this great man. He influenced thousands in a positive way. We will all carry his spirit with us when we perform our forms, or spar with others.
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May 14th, 2012 at 6:10 am
Kenpo Karate has had a profound affect on my life and how I live it. Whether I personally knew them or not, I will always be in debt and feel gratitude to those masters that developed and spread the art and made it possible for me to be but a small link in that chain.
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January 26th, 2013 at 4:17 pm
Mourning my friend and mentor.