Draft:Robert Heisner

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Robert F. Heisner
Born(1946-08-29)August 29, 1946
Niagara Falls, NY
DiedMarch 7, 2024(2024-03-07) (aged 77)
Niagara Falls
StyleBushido 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,
Rank9th dan

Robert Franklin Heisner (August 29, 1946 – March 7, 2024)[1] was an American martial arts expert who founded the Bushido Kai[2] karate system in October 1989.[3][4] Heisner began his martial arts career in 1961. An article from 1968 notes that Heisner had been training for seven years by that time.[5]

In addition to his martial arts expertise, Heisner was an ordained[6] Christian minister who served as an evangelist,[7] pastor,[6] and Bible teacher.[8]

Combining his biblical training with his martial arts skills, Heisner established a karate ministry called the Warriors of the Sword.[9]

Early life and education

[edit]

Robert Heisner was born in Niagara Falls, NY, to Franklin and Arlene Heisner.[1] His father was a World War II veteran of the Army.[10] In 1940, Franklin and Arlene moved to Niagara Falls, NY from Hazleton, PA,[11] where Robert and his younger brother, Barry, were born.[1]

As a student, Heisner was a competitive athlete, participating in baseball[12] and weightlifting.[13]

At the age of 15, he developed a keen interest in martial arts.[5] He valued the discipline and rigorous training involved, believing it would help him lead a successful life by fostering character development, improving his physical fitness, and providing practical self-defense skills.[3]

Heisner graduated from Niagara Falls High School in June of 1964.[14]

From a young age, he chose to embrace the teachings of Christianity and actively shared his faith with others.[15] He later integrated this belief into founding the Warriors of the Sword[16] evangelistic demonstration team and in developing the Bushido Kai[17] martial arts system.

He studied the Bible and ministry at Elim Bible Institute and College[8] and held ordination credentials with Elim Fellowship.[6][8]

At the age of eighteen, Heisner enlisted in the military and was stationed in Hokkaido, Japan, during the Vietnam War, where he further developed his interest in martial arts.[6]

Career

[edit]

Early in his career, Robert Heisner worked in security, with his most notable assignment being a bodyguard for Elvis Presley during his performance at the Niagara Falls Convention and Civic Center on July 13, 1975.[6] Heisner also provided security for other celebrities and hotel chains.[6] In addition to his security work, he trained law enforcement officers from both the United States and Canada.[18][19]

Before entering full-time ministry, Heisner managed commercial martial arts schools and served as a professor at Niagara County Community College.[7][6] He was incorporated under the oversight of Park Jong Soo in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[20][21]

Robert Heisner was an evangelist, pastor, and college professor who held black belts in multiple martial arts disciplines.[7][6] He frequently provided pulpit supply for other ministers.[22] Heisner combined his Christian faith with his extensive martial arts training in his evangelistic efforts.[7][6]

Heisner devoted himself to sharing the hope he discovered in his Christian faith with others, particularly through outreach efforts aimed at youth.[7][6] He believed that martial arts could serve as an effective means of connecting with young people.[7][6] This commitment was often reflected in his provision of free or low-cost programs, as well as opportunities for work scholarships (in place of payments).[7][6]

Heisner's programs offered training in martial arts, weightlifting[7], aerobics[23], and specific exercises designed to strengthen the body, all while integrating spiritual disciplines into the curriculum.[7][6] Robert was a long-time professor at Niagara County Community College, where he taught karate and self-defense classes.[24]

Heisner's career in ministry and martial arts was closely linked throughout his life.[6]

He established or participated in various ministries and organizations, including New Life Christian Ministries,[7] the Warriors of the Sword,[16] and the Bushido Kai style of karate, which is taught at the Project Future WNY center.[6]

Ministry and community involvement

[edit]

As an ordained minister, Heisner regularly provided comfort to those who had lost loved ones by offering counsel and performing funeral services.[11][25] He also counseled couples and officiated weddings.[26][27]

Heisner was committed to improving the future by connecting with young people and families, providing guidance for living fulfilled lives.[28][29] He served as the co-director of the Christian Fellowship at Niagara County Community College, where he also worked as a professor.[30] Additionally, he taught the college's Tae Kwon-Do club.[31] His ministry had a substantial impact in both the United States and Canada.[32][18]

Heisner actively supported his community by organizing seminars on rape prevention and providing practical life applications.[33]

Heisner often integrated martial arts into his ministry by conducting evangelistic karate demonstrations.[34][35][36] One notable instance of this is his participation in the early years of the Kingdom Bound Christian festival.[37][38]

The Warriors of the Sword[16] ministry was founded as a culmination of various other ministries. Heisner was often invited to college campuses to share the message of Christianity through karate demonstrations.[34][39] The establishment of the Kingdom Bound Christian music festival further inspired the creation of the Warriors of the Sword demonstration team and karate programs that focus on Christian teachings.[37][16]

Heisner was dedicated to making a positive impact in every community he engaged with.[3] For example, he served as a member of the Niagara County Juvenile Task Force and offered a youth martial arts program for the Niagara-Wheatfield School District.[6] Heisner was actively involved in a variety of community programs and events.[40][15][41]

Robert became involved with the YMCA of Niagara Falls, NY, in 1967.[42] He offered martial arts classes to help young people develop self-discipline and self-control. These classes were available at YMCAs and YWCAs throughout Western New York.[5][43] Additionally, Heisner served on the board of the YMCA and was appointed the Spiritual Fitness Director.[44][45]

A key focus of Heisner's community efforts was to "kick drugs and violence out of schools."[6][46] He also participated in various spiritual and martial arts activities within his community, including relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina.[47][48]

Heisner's Project Future[17] was recognized as one of the top small businesses in Niagara County.[49] The Wheatfield Business Association honored Project Future with the title of Business of the Year, and Robert Heisner was awarded the Business Person of the Year.[50] Additionally, he received recognition for his contributions to youth initiatives, as well as various commendations for his work.[51][52]

Martial arts

[edit]

Heisner began his martial arts training at the age of 15 in 1961. A 1968 newspaper article indicates that Heisner had been training in martial arts for seven years at the time.[5] He continued to develop his skills while stationed in Hokkaido, Japan, during his service in the United States Army from 1965 to 1967.[6][3][53][5] Heisner remained a lifelong student of martial arts.[1]

Heisner was a competitive athlete representing Master Park Jong Soo in various tournaments and overseeing his Tae Kwon-Do schools in Western New York.[54][20][55] In a 1975 issue of Black Belt Magazine, Heisner's students were recognized as tournament champions.[56][57]

Robert Heisner was a pioneer of martial arts in Western New York. In 1970, he was teaching Wado Ryu karate under Hironori Otsuka. The mayor of Niagara Falls, NY, requested Heisner to present Otsuka with the Keys to the City.[58] A few years later, Heisner incorporated and opened Tae Kwon-Do schools in the region.[59][60] He represented Grandmaster Park Jong Soo in the Buffalo and Niagara Falls regions.[54][20]

Robert Heisner established Bushido Kai in late 1989, and since then, the system has expanded.[3][6][17] This martial arts discipline was developed from various styles in which Heisner trained.

Style Instructor Mr. Heisner's Earned Rank Training Location
Shotokan Karate Master Nara Tominoshi Shodan (First Degree) Black Belt Hokkaido, Japan[5][6][7]
Aiki-Jitsu Master Nara Tominoshi Shodan (First Degree) Black Belt Hokkaido, Japan[5][6][7]
Bo-Jitsu Master Nara Tominoshi Certified Instructor Hokkaido, Japan[5][6][7]
Itosu Ryu Karate Master Hisao Hotta[5] Nidan (Second Degree) Black Belt[61] Hokkaido, Japan[5][6][7]
Kyokushin Kai Karate Master Kaicho Tadashi Nakamura[62]

and Shihan Oyama

Recognized as a Shodan (First Degree) Black Belt Brooklyn, NY[5]

Bridgeport, CT[5]

Wado Ryu Karate Shihan Hironori Otsuka[58]

Mr. Cecil T. Patterson

Nidan (Second Degree) Black Belt[58][63] Nashville, TN[58]
Tae Kwon-Do Master Park Jong Soo[54][20][56] Chil dan (Seventh Degree) Black Belt Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Robert was awarded his Eighth and Ninth Degree Black Belts in Bushido Kai.[1][17] He was also recognized as a Ninth Degree Black Belt by the Professional Martial Arts Educators Association.[59]

Heisner has trained many martial artists who, like him, have had a positive impact on their communities.[59][64][65] He has inspired numerous individuals to lead successful lives and make meaningful contributions to the well-being of others. One of his black belts was a young man with Down syndrome who inspired and motivated many people around him.[66][67]

Personal life and death

[edit]

Heisner married Marianne Murdock in 1965. They remained married until Heisner's death in 2024 and had one daughter, Stacey.[7][1]

Proclamation of a Project Future Week by the Town of Wheatfield.
Proclamation of a Project Future Week by the Town of Wheatfield.
Grand Master Rev. Robert Heisner Day
The Niagara County, New York, legislature declared April 26, 2025 to be "Grand Master Rev. Robert Heisner Day."

He passed away on March 7, 2024.[1]

Legacy

[edit]

Heisner founded the Bushido Kai[17] martial arts system and the Warriors of the Sword[16] ministries.

Master Park Jong Soo held Heisner in high regard as a pioneer of Tae Kwon-Do in Western New York.[59][60][68]

Heisner co-authored "The Definitive History of Bushido Kai,"[2][69] which outlines the founding of the Bushido Kai karate system. Additionally, he wrote the training manual for this system.

The Town of Wheatfield has declared October 14th to October 21st as Project Future Week in honor of Robert Heisner's Project Future. (See the photo of this declaration.)

After Heisner's passing, the community has continued to acknowledge his impact. The Niagara County Legislature allocated funding to support Project Future, which Heisner established. Legislator Jesse Gooch presented the funding check.[17]

Heisner's legacy continues after his passing. Niagara County Legislator Jesse Gooch has awarded funding to Heisner's Project Future to help sustain the initiatives he started.[70] Additionally, the Niagara County Legislature has officially declared April 26, 2025, as "Grand Master Rev. Robert Heisner Day." A certificate recognizing this honor was presented to Heisner's wife, Marianne. (See the photo of this proclamation.)

Heisner's Project Future program is making a significant impact on the world. Greg Robbins, a student from the Bushido Kai system, has launched a training program for stunt performers and martial artists at Heisner's Project Future facilities. This announcement was featured in a television news broadcast.[71]

References

[edit]
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  69. ^ Heisner, Robert; Dallmann, Robert. "Copyright of "The Definitive History of Bushido Kai"". US Copyright Office.
  70. ^ "Gooch funding assists Project Future WNY in Wheatfield". Niagara Frontier Publications. Archived from the original on 2025-01-14. Retrieved 2025-04-27.
  71. ^ WIVB, News 4 (July 28, 2025). "WNY Stunts & Martial Arts Academy opens in Niagara Falls". WIVB News 4.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)