Thursday, April 9, 2020
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I lost a mentor and the martial arts world lost a giant this week to the menace of cancer. Hanshi Bob Herten taught traditional Okinawan karate in the Paterson/Totowa/Little Falls, NJ area for 52 yrs, after serving our country in the Air Force in the Vietnam War and then as a Paterson Police Officer. He was a genuine bad-MF. My brothers, Dad and I knew him as "Shihan" and later "Kiyoshi." He awarded me, under the authority of Master Shugoro Nakazato, my 1st Black Belt in the 1980’s, then my 2nd Degree a few yrs later after two a brutal tests. He made me a martial arts instructor at a young age and showed us that higher levels of martial arts are only achieved through passing the art forward to others. He was one of the most influential people in my entire life. Some of my fondest memories are of training and teaching at O.K.I. in NJ. I was humbled and honored by the number of Black Belts that showed up to both of my Black Belt tests to beat the crap out of me until I could barely keep my hands up. I learned discipline, confidence, humility and determination through his militant, unforgiving teaching style he learned in Okinawa. I regret losing contact with him and the school after our family moved to Florida in 1989 although, by surprise, I ran into Scott Herten in my living room through mutual friends about a decade ago. After spending 3 hours together and finally realizing our connection, we proceeded to bow to each other many times and hugged hard enough to injure the skin. a few days before learning of his passing, I was just showing my kids the first Naihanchi kata, as I learned it in the 80's from Hanshi. Hanshi's legacy continues through his children, mentees and other students at www.hertenfamilykarate.com. If you are in the area, pls support his school and pls consider a donation to the American Cancer Society or planting a tree as was his family’s request. For those who knew him, always remember: SQUAT DOWN! RIP Hanshi. Thank you for everything. I part of me is gone this week. Please reach out to me if any wants to connect or talk, or if you are in South Florida and want to train together sometime. mis@500law.com www.500law.com
With love, Michael Santucci and the Santucci Family
(Despite his dead-serious demeanor during training, Hanshi also had a crazy sense of humor. Here is one of my personal photos of him taking out a Samurai sword at the Dojo to cut a birthday cake. I will share more as I find them).
