Soke Kwan

I received notice today of the passing of a long time friend, Soke Kwan. Back in the early 80’s I moved to Barrie from Toronto and came across Master Kwan’s facility; I entered, and was quickly welcomed into his dojo family. Being an instructor, competitor and demonstrator of the art of Hapkido, we trained and put on demos & traded skills. I remember one invitation assist in a demonstration with an equally inviting friend Stuart Van Luven, a student of Soke Kwan, at the new Kozlov Centre. At times I pull out those photos, which brings a smile. Soke Kwan, congratulations on making your life’s journey one of success, and kindness; and thank you for allowing me to walk the path with you for moment; my heart is heavy, but my memories will always be of kind.

It is only after death that the depth of a bond can truly be felt, and our loved ones become more apart of us than was possible in life, this is so, because our hearts do not record time, but merely growth. All my best to the Kwan Family.

Received October 29th from a friend of Soke Kwan

Dear Webmaster Dan, Osu!

I would like to express my personal condolences to Soke Kwan's Family, who I know personally and his Many Students and friends that I have met past and future. I was not able to attend the services held for Soke Glen on Thursday.... Respectfully I conducted a class in Soke Glenn's memory...

My students an I discussed all of his many accomplishments and ...how he was dedicated to the martial arts... Everyone that interacted with Soke Glenn knows this... I want to encourage his family, students and friends to continue in his name and memory.

There will be a memorial announcement and Formal Ceremony for him, at TWMAHOF "Main Event" 2008. USA. Respectfully, I request that Soke Glenn's students and friends contact me regarding information and attendance. Thank you.

My deepest condolences to the Family of Soke Glenn Kwan. I was honored to have met him and privileged to have him judge me in several competitions.
He was so friendly, supportive, caring and giving. He made me feel like I was family the first time I met him.
I will never ever forget in 1991 in San Jose California he wanted to give me a 10.5 score….and he sincerely wanted to.
Although I have not stayed in contact with Soke Kwan, he has always been a positive influence in my martial arts life.
May God Bless the Kwans, his martial arts family and friends. The Heavens are lucky to have him as I was blessed to have known him.

With deepest sympathy and great respect,

Jody Sasaki

Received October 24th from a friend of Soke Kwan

I join all of you in expressing my deepest regrets at the loss of a friend, teacher, and mentor.

My husband, John McGrath first started as a student of Glenn’s in 1985. Glenn’s consistently positive attitude, smile and sense of humour and determination have always stood out for both of us. After many years of hard work under Glenn’s incredible instruction, support and strength, John was very proud to receive his Black Belt from Sensei Kwan in 1991. He could not have done it without Glenn and was very proud to be his student. I was also joined the dojo and was always amazed with Glenn’s great attitude and caring for all of his students – they were truly all of his children. Heart and soul, in every moment, he was a very authentic person.

Both John and I were very proud to have Glenn stand up for us at our marriage in 1992, in traditional hokama with a wonderful sword ceremony to celebrate our life together. It was quite a site, very beautiful.

Life - not a dress rehearsal.

We are both better people from having Glenn in our lives.
John McGrath
Kelly Patterson McGrath

My then-husband, Richard, signed my children, Willy and Melissa, up for classes with Kwan's Karate many years ago. Soon both Richard and I also joined as a family. We became very close to Glenn and Brenda and enjoyed our time in the dojo to the point where I volunteered to help in the office. I managed the office most of that summer and longer which provided me with the feeling of being appreciated and needed. Glenn would often comment on my abilities as an office worker, and that was very important to me since I was having such a hard time in my life then. I can never forget that. But I owe him so much more.
It was Glenn's love for my own children that got my son away from the hard drugs. It was because he taught Will the very basics in Karate that may have saved his life about two years ago when Will was hit by a car in Barrie. Glenn really pushed for Will to learn how to do a break fall, and I remember how Willy complained to me. But when that car hit my son, he heard Glenn's voice telling him how to do that break fall and he did it. That is what saved him. Thankfully he only had a badly bruised hip thanks to our beloved Sensei.
Both Will and I will never forget that or the blessing we received just by knowing Glenn.
Doris (Doe) Hayward-McQuabbie.

I received this email today October 21st 2007 from one of Soke Kwan's students

Soke Glenn Kwan was my friend and confidant though my years of Karate competition though out the 70's, 80's and early 90's .He was always there for me even after his acident , he was always concern about the Museum and Kenpo Martial Arts and he help develope the idea of the Museum years before I made it public, Soke along with Bob Wall , Sam Lonewolf , Jerry Piddington ,Ted Tabura, Sid Campbell, Allen Steen, Ken Knudson, Eric Lee, Duane Ethington and Mike Stone to name a few inspired us to work on this project together for the elders .

I will miss my Hawaiian hero who taught me true Kenpo and help me guide my carreer to a Championship status, I have many many memories but here is one of my favorites.

I had this karate gi top that had' HAWAII" in big huge letters, Soke walked up to me and gave the question and answer treatment, who ,what ,when ,where and how and then he asked me what kata I was doing , I said "Sepai", he said" That is not a kenpo form , it's Okinawan , let me see it."

I did what I was told to do by this Hawaiian mentor to be and placed second place in tournement a long way from Hawaii but confident though his coaching maybe I can adapt but most of all I would have a friend that would last me and put up with me all these years.

In 1992 at SUPER GRANDS, Atlantic City, Soke ,watched ,coached and share his wisdom for me to earn five National Titles plus the SUPER GRANDS MUSICAL FORMS CHALLENGE.

After the event Scott Holgarth, Myself, Soke and a couple of Peter Urban's Blackbelt's and there was our Kung -Fu friend who was really good , but his name slips me now .

I have been told by a member of Soke Kwan's family that donations to the RVH (Royal Victoria Hospital) Cancer Clinic or Sick Children's Hospital would be appreciated.

There will be a write up in the local Barrie, ON newspaper this week with further details.

With such a beautiful day in central Ontario we can only conclude that The Lord must be enjoying the day with our friend Soke Kwan. I'm sure He is enjoying practicing kata with Soke.

It is with great sadness that I must inform you of the passing of Soke Glenn E. Kwan today October 20th 2007. I will post more details as they become available.

The karate community has lost a legend today. I have never met anyone that put more energy and heart into the Martial Arts. He was always there and supported the young people that trained in Karate but also never forgot about those that he trained over the years.

As Soke Kwan's friend and webmaster for this site I can be reached at dan.dusome@gmail.com if you have anything you would like to post on here about your memories of Soke Glenn Kwan.

Kwan's Karate was proudly represented by Erica D. at the 9th Annual Ontario Open presented by Magliocco'sEast West Karate as part of the PMA Tournament Circuit.

A special thanks to all those that nominated me for induction into the Barrie Sports Hall Fame.

Congratulations to Robert Campbell for obtaining the rank of Shodan in Genkido Kempo after many years of training.

Congratulations to Michelle Maizis for her performance at the WKA Championship in Germany. Michelle received Gold for Team Sparring,Bronze in Kata and Weapons.

Instructor - Glen Kwan

10^th Dan - Founder/Soke: Genki-do Kempo Karate (Taisho)

Co-Founder/Soke: Chukido-kwan Combat Systems

Grandmaster of the year 2001 - United States Martial Artist Association

Sokeship recognized by Latin America Grandmasters & Soke Council, International Freestyle Martial Arts Organization, World Jug-Tai Head Society, Chuckidokwan Martial Arts Association

World Head of Family Sokeship Council - Head of Family Chu-Ki-Do-Kwan

Numerous Martial Artists Hall of Fame inductions and movie, TV and video appearances