Thomas C. Voelker

Tom was a great teacher and mentor.
The highlight of every week was attending toms class with my friend John Stringert. I attained fifth degree brown belt and was ready to take the final fight test. I never did formally test for black belt. The fact that he said i was ready meant more to me than the belt!!
Bernard Schaltenbrand

Tom was technically my first instructor at the YMCA outside Pittsburgh. I had a friend who went to Tom and started teaching me. He then said I needed to study under Tom but not to tell him who my friend was. Because of my friend I picked things up quickly and Tom figured out Dan Pauley was my friend I was sparring with Because of things I was doing. Besides being excellent at Karate he was very good at seeing things and picking up on things. He really helped me overcome many things that...

Tom was my first martial arts instructor I´m grateful for his introduction to the arts.

R.I.P. Thomas. Tom taught karate lessons at our family music studio, Rossi Music Studio, 200 Frankfort Ave, in West View. My brother and I, as well as the other students, learned karate and a health philosophy from Mr. Voelker.

As a child, I spent many a Thursday night at Tom Voelker's karate class. I remember well his dry sense of humor and his love of teaching. He will be missed.

I'm so delighted I was able to spend 9 hours with my Uncle over the Fourth of July weekend. He was my mother's closest brother, and he was very influential in my life as a young child. He sent birthday and Christmas cards to me each year, and sent a graduation gift for my son. He sent me a wedding gift too. I admired his discipline and intelligence. Many thanks to all his loyal students and friends. Marilyn