In Memoriam
Of
A Past Warrior
Master Allen Wheeler
It is with great pain that I inform my readers, that, once again one of the great Masters has past away. Master Allen Wheeler, a long time and early student of Master Harold Long, finally opening his own dojo, became a popular and successful Sensei in Tennessee. He was a close friend of Master Don Bohan and when, unfortunately there was a disagreement between he and Mr. Long, I remember that they both set the same date for their respective tournaments. It was a difficult situation, but “Bo” and I left Master Long’s tournament at 1:00 PM and spent the rest of the day judging matches at Master Wheeler’s tournament. He was thrilled that we had given him equal time and wished him good luck. However, he never needed luck, since he taught excellent Isshin-ryu, later writing a book on his art, that was an overwhelming success. In fact, Tim McGhee, who was now in charge of putting on the late Master Harold Long’s tournament allowed an old friend, Allen Wheeler to set up an enormous table and exhibit of his book, for sale at his former friends tournament. Within a few hours, he had no books left and had to give his address to scores of people, who wished to get the book and discover his Isshin-ryu.
He was never showy or intrusive. He never tried to promote himself, nor did he have any reason to do that, since the lore of Master Wheeler was known throughout the country. Alas, another shining light has flickered out in the art of Isshin-ryu. He will be missed, but never forgotten. We send our sympathy and prayers to his family and his students and hope that there is someone of great stature to pick up the torch at his dojo. In Powell, Tennessee.
The Master passed away at 10:45 PM, Monday, 14 February 2005, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Knoxville, with his family at his bedside.