Robert Heisner

Robert Franklin Heisner, August 29, 1946 – March 7, 2024, founded the Bushido Kai. karate system. Bushido Kai is a martial art comprising a combination of the seven different martial arts that Heisner was ranked in and various other styles in which he trained.
Reverend Robert Heisner was also a Christian minister who served as an evangelist, pastor, and Bible teacher. His dedication to Jesus and the martial arts eventually led to his founding a Christian-based martial art called Bushido Kai and a ministry called the Warriors of the Sword
==Early life==
Robert "Bob" Heisner was born in Niagara Falls, New York, the son of Franklin and Arlene Heisner. Heisner's father was a decorated World War II Army veteran who saw action at "D-Day" and "The Battle of the Bulge." After the war, Heisner's father moved to Niagara Falls from Hazelton, Pennsylvania. Robert and his younger brother Barry were born in Niagara Falls, NY.
At the age of 15, Robert was attracted to martial arts. The disciplines mandated within martial arts and rigorous training appeared desirable for developing a successful life, teaching character development, physical conditioning, and practical self-defense. Heisner began studying karate from library books.
While in High School, Heisner made a commitment that would forever change his life. During his junior year, Robert chose Jesus Christ and Christianity as the focus of his life during a church service. This commitment grew into a desire to share his Christian faith and the Biblical truths he had learned. Later, he applied his faith to developing the Bushido Kai martial arts system and the Warriors of the Sword evangelistic demonstration team.
As a young Christian, Robert desired to learn something that was both challenging and practical. His research into martial arts led him to believe he could apply his faith to his art and personal training. This notion is what he sought to do from the onset of his karate training.
==The Military==
It was in the army where Heisner diligently began his martial arts career. Robert enlisted at eighteen years of age and was stationed in Hokkaido, Japan, during the Vietnam conflict.
* In 1965, Private Heisner wrote a note to Black Belt Magazine asking a karate training question.
* In 1966, he was slated to receive a "Gift Pack" from the Salvation Army Christmas program (The Niagara Falls Gazette, December 13, 1966.)
Mr. Heisner married his wife, Marianne, shortly before departing to serve his country abroad. As a young Christian newlywed, he spent most of his off-duty hours training in various martial arts.
This training diligence would be valuable throughout his life.
==Family==
Robert Heisner was married to his wife Marianne for 59 years, and they had one daughter (Stacey.)
==Education==
Robert commuted four years between Niagara Falls, NY, and Lima, NY, where he studied the Bible and ministry at Elim Bible Institute. Robert held ordination credentials with Elim Fellowship.
==Security Work==
Heisner headed up security for a local hotel that was part of a nationwide chain of hotels. Heisner also worked as security for celebrities when they performed in the Buffalo, NY, area. Most notable was working for Elvis Presley when he performed at the Niagara Falls Convention and Civic Center on July 13, 1975. Mr. Heisner also did security work for Leif Garrett and others.
==Ministry Work==
Reverend Robert Heisner was intensely dedicated to the teaching and preaching of Jesus Christ. As an ordained minister, he was active in many aspects of Christian service, including being the pastor of Grace Christian Assembly, Bible teacher, and evangelist. The following is a brief list of some of his documented ministry activities:
* 1969, Robert did a demonstration for a Home School Association.
* 1971, Heisner did a karate demonstration at a Youth For Christ outreach. (The Niagara Falls Gazette, February 13, 1971.)
* 1976, Heisner was the faculty advisor for a Gospel concert at Niagara County Community College (NCCC.)
* 1977, Robert was the faculty advisor for the Niagara County Community College Christian Fellowship.
* 1980, Heisner was the faculty leader of the Sunlight Christian Fellowship group at Niagara County Community College
* 1981, Heisner was the faculty advisor for the BASIC (Brothers And Sisters In Christ) at Niagara County Community College (NCCC.)
* 1987, Robert was the faculty advisor for the Niagara County Community College Christian Fellowship.
* 1988, Heisner was the faculty advisor for the Niagara County Community College Christian Fellowship.
* 1989, Rev. Robert Heisner's New Life Christian Ministries promotes a Gospel Sports Expo at Niagara County Community College.
* 1993, Robert is appointed the YMCA's spiritual fitness director in Niagara Falls, NY.
* 1997, Personal Responsibility Is Success in Motion (PRISM) is another martial arts ministry program created by Heisner.
* 2004, Heisner works with everyone, including those facing life challenges. Mr. Heisner teaches karate to a Down syndrome teen.
* 2008, Community-minded Robert Heisner was recognized as one of Niagara County, New York|Niagara County's best small business owners.
* 2010, Heisner helped lead the local National Day of Prayer, as reported by the Buffalo News.
==Bushido Kai Karate==
In the 1960s and 1970s, before founding the Bushido Kai system, Heisner owned and operated two Tae Kwon Do schools under the oversight of Master Park Jong Soo. One of his schools was at 1027 Main Street, Niagara Falls, NY, and the other was at 2309 Elmwood Ave, Kenmore, NY.
Bushido Kai, a martial art style, was born from Robert Heisner's love of both Jesus and karate. The Bushido Kai system is an excellent blend of Robert's faith in Christ and the seven styles in which he held Black Belt/Instructor ranks.
Mr. Heisner was a lifelong student of martial arts. As such, the Bushido Kai system is fluid and constantly developing.
This list includes some documented records of Heisner's martial arts training and activities.
* 1968, Heisner formed a karate sport club at the YMCA, the Niagara Falls Gazette reported.
* 1969, Heisner offers karate classes are the YMCA.
* 1970, Mr. Heisner was awarded Nidan in the All Japan Karate Federation by Hironori Otsuka. This rank promotion is documented in the Niagara Falls Gazette on Sunday, March 22, 1970. This article notes that the then Mayor of Niagara Falls, NY, E. Dent Lackey, gave Otsuka the key to the city. Robert Heisner presented the key to Otsuka.
* 1970, Heisner taught karate at the YMCA.
* 1971, Robert trained police from Canada and the United States, as reported in the Niagara Falls Gazette.
* 1971, Heisner does a "karate show" with Master Park in Hyde Park, Niagara Falls, NY.
* 1971, Robert taught karate at the YMCA.
* 1978, Heisner runs a Tae Kwon Do club at Niagara County Community College.
* 1992, Mr. Heisner conducted a seminar on "Preventing Sexual Assault" at Niagara County Community College.
* 1998, Robert taught Aerobic Kickboxing in Grand Island, NY.
Mr. Heisner founded Bushido Kai late in 1989, and the system has grown and flourished since then. This martial arts discipline was developed from the following styles.
Style 	Instructor 	Mr. Heisner's Earned Rank 	Training Location
Shotokan Karate 	Master Nara Tominoshi	Shodan (First Degree) Black Belt 	Hokkaido, Japan
Aiki-Jitsu 	Master Nara Tominoshi	Shodan (First Degree) Black Belt 	Hokkaido, Japan
Bo-Jitsu 	Master Nara Tominoshi	Certified Instructor 	Hokkaido, Japan
Itosu Ryu Karate 	Master Hisao Hotta 	Nidan (Second Degree) Black Belt 	Hokkaido, Japan
Kyokushin Kai Karate	Master Kaicho Tadashi Nakamura
and Shihan Oyama	Recognized as a Shodan (First Degree)
Black Belt	Brooklyn, NY
Bridgeport, CT
Wado Ryu Karate 	Shihan Hironori Otsuka
Mr. Cecil T. Patterson	Nidan (Second Degree) Black Belt 	Nashville, TN
Tae Kwon Do 	Master Park Jong Soo 	Chil dan (Seventh Degree) Black Belt	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Subsequently, Robert was awarded his Eighth and Ninth Degree Black Belts in Bushido Kai.
The headquarters of the Bushido Kai system is The Project Future Center in Wheatfield, NY.
==The Warriors of the Sword==
Robert Heisner initiated the Warriors of the Sword ministry slightly before codifying the Bushido Kai system. Robert used his martial arts skills to attract attention and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Initially, Mr. Heisner and one or two of his karate students would do demonstrations on college campuses. He was often invited by a B.A.S.I.C. (Brothers and Sisters in Christ) chapter, which was a college campus ministry organization.
From this concept, an evangelistic demonstration team was formed and traveled through the northeast United States and into Canada. This team saw tremendous results, and local Warriors of the Sword chapters began. These were karate programs that were often taught in churches.
The ministry of the Warriors of the Sword continues today. It is directed by one of Rev. Robert Heisner's long-time students.
==Death==
Early in the morning on March 7, 2024, Robert passed away in his sleep.
==Legacy==
Rev. Grandmaster Robert F. Heisner has left a legacy that has impacted multitudes of people. He was a beloved martial arts instructor, respected, accepted, and embraced by the martial arts community. His ministry impact led numerous people to be drawn to Jesus Christ, and some of these people were inspired by Robert Heisner to be involved in ministry themselves.
Mr. Heisner also left behind his Bushido Kai martial arts system and the Warriors of the Sword ministries.
Master Park Jong Soo once called Mr. Heisner the "grandfather of Tae Kwon Do in Western New York."
Mr. Heisner co-authored "The Definitive History of Bushido Kai" which details the founding of the Bushido Kai karate system. He wanted to document the history of his faith and training accurately, so he worked with one of his students to write this book.
Heisner also wrote the training manual for the Bushido Kai system, which details the requirements for rank promotion.
==Publications==
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==See also==
* Black Belt Magazine - May 1965 - Page 57 - PVT Robert Heisner asked a karate question in the "Letters" section
* Black Belt Magazine - November 1975 - Pages 71-72 - several of Mr. Heisner's students are named competitors in the 4th Annual North American tournament - Mr. Heisner's students listed in this magazine are David Thiele, Jim Young, and Fred Barkley.
Category:1946 births
Category:2024 deaths
Category:People from Niagara Falls, New York
Category:American people
Category:Martial arts