In
The News
5.12.13
Calendar
of NEWS
& EVENTS
Welcome
Center
Mission
Statement
USA
Goju According to URBAN
Join
Urban's USA Goju Organization
5.05.13
FSN
Members
School Listing
Video
Tributes to Peter Urban
Urban Goju Marketplace
Tournament
Photo Highlights
Eulogy
to Sensei Urban
In
Memorium GoJu Leaders
Tribute
in Haiku
The
Peter Urban Museum
Peter
Urban's Recognitions & Awards
Peter
Urban's Classic Magazine Articles
Peter
Urban's Selected Writings
Peter
Urban's Newsletters
Business
Cards
HER personal WEBSITE
Contact
Julia Urban-Kimmerley
Links
Peter
Urban WHFSC Exclusive
member
Contact
The Urban Goju-Do Webmaster
10.25.10
Kyoshi Earl Monroe
( May 9, 1937 - August 19, 2008 )
Age: 71 Born:
May 9, 1937 - Died: August 19, 2008
Earl
Monroe,
Kyoshi - Sensei of Nisei Goju-Ryu
Thursday, August 21, 2008 11:57 AM
Kyoshi Monroe's martial arts journey began while serving his country overseas.
He studied Judo, obtaining the rank of Sho Dan, during his time with the U.S.
Army in West Germany. Upon returning home, he quickly became interested in the
JuJitsu taught by Theodore West, Antonio Pereira and Florendo Visitacion (all
deceased). He was soon excelling in this 2nd art, eventually reaching San Dan
rank.
In the mid 1960's, Mr. West hired an Urban Goju karate instructor named
Frank Ruiz (deceased). West, Sensei required his JuJitsu students to study Judo
and Karate prior to obtaining their Dan grade in JuJitsu.
A natural fighter being taught by a phenomenon and
surrounded by some of the great Goju practitioners on the east coast, Monroe
fell in love with Karatedo and was extremely proficient at it. He
maintained contact with his original instructor, Theodore West, but devoted the
brunt of his training time to Grandmaster, Frank Ruiz, founder of Nisei Goju-Ryu
.
From 1970 until his departure from New York in 1985, Monroe, Sensei taught and
developed black belts students for the Nisei Goju-Ryu banner at several dojos in
The Bronx and Westchester County. In 1985, he moved to Arizona to care for his
mother and father. After their passing, he remained there, but often
visited New York and U.S. Virgin Islands to visit his Dans.
His last trip east was a year ago, when Zurriane Bennett
of San Yama Bushi and Combination Goju hosted a large seminar in Virginia and
sent for Monroe, Sensei. Several of Sensei's students converged on this event
and saw their instructor of the last time. We all had a grand time. Less than a
year later, he was gone. Sensei Monroe's legacy travels through four
generations of Dan's throughout the east coast and U.S. Virgin Islands. He is
survived by his sister, Sandra of Phoenix, Az., several generations of black
belt students and friends.
Submitted by: Raymond A. Fitzpatrick, M.C.S.
May the Lord bless his soul and accept him with the rest of the faithful ones. I can just see all of them together looking down on us and seeing just what we will do and are doing to give our students the tools to be successful and what we will give to this great martial arts of our and what was theirs. We must continue with those goals, as they set them for us.
He would say "What do you want me to do Archie". I came here to help you. I am full of energy give me a ring to run. Amen
Page updated October 25, 2010