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Stephen Armstrong Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Stephen Armstrong
Richard kingsberry
February 4, 2025
My name is Richard Kingsberry, I had the privilege of knowing grandmaster Armstrong at one time I went to a workshop at his school in Tacoma And I fought at his tournament. He was always graceful, always helpful outstanding person. He was at the top of my list when it comes to the Martial Arts and a great person.(
Kyoshi Jerry Gould
December 3, 2006
Steve stood by his words. He did his best to preserve karate in the Northwest in it's original form. If not for Steve karate would not have become what it is in Washington state today. He will be missed.
Robert Johnson
December 2, 2006
Whatever we were in that frozen long ago and whatever we are now, we are bound as one for life in an exclusive fraternity of honor. the only way into our ranks is to have paid the dues of duty, sacrifice and valor by being there. The cost of joining , in short, is beyond all earthly wealth. Farewell my brother.
A fellow Chosin Reservoir survivor and former Tacoma resident.
Fred van de Vijver
November 29, 2006
The first time when i met sensei Armstrong was in his tacoma dojo (1986).
Then i invite him to come to the Netherlands .
This cart was given to me when he left our country.
May the road ise to meet you May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
May the rains fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again
May God hold you
In the palm of His hand
Fred van de vijver your student for ever.
Sensei Just migt see you at the next RODEO!.
Marien Jumelet
November 27, 2006
Although it was 1988 that I met sensei Steve Armstrong, I will never forget him and his great influence on Isshinryu karate do.
My sympathy to all the family.
Don Wasielewski
November 24, 2006
I met Mr. Armstrong in 73, and was very impressed with him, his instructors, and the huge influence that he had in the martials world. A truly great man that influenced my life. I miss him deeply.
Bill Mc Cabe
November 24, 2006
On first contact, I was blown away by his physical size. I personally stand 6'3" tall, and usually weigh in at 225 lbs. I felt dwarfed by Master Armstrong. This is hard to explain, he wasn't much taller than I was, nor did he weigh much more. It's just that everything about him was big. His hands were huge, and all I could think on first seeing those "paws" was he could kill me if he ever hit me. They were nothing less than battering rams. Master Armstrong was 44 years old and still in his physical prime. He was pretty much held in awe by all who knew him. Not just because of his imposing presence, but because of his absolute command of Isshinryu, and Karate in general. With a glance, he could discourse for an hour on all the things he found in your Kata that could be improved. His power was awesome, and one of his typical "feats" was to throw a pine board in the air, and "nail" it with a punch, while it was free floating. The board would explode. If you think that's easy, try it sometime. Few people talk about Mr. Armstrong's past, but he was a bona fide war hero, having established himself in the Korean War, and gaining enough notoriety from his exploits that he became a member of President Truman's personal guard before reaching the age of twenty (yes, he enlisted underage). From the first encounter, to the very end, Armstrong emphasized that meeting Tatsuo Shimabuku was the turning point of his life. Master Shimabuku is known to us mostly through the reflection of his art through generations of Isshinryu students. Armstrong knew the man, and maintains adamantly he has never met a master who compares to Shimabuku.
I eventually developed a friendship with Armstrong. I was working Arnis with Sensei Dave Bird, and had been accepted as a student by Master Archibeque...and that took most of my time. Armstrong and I remained in contact for those several years, having no clue about the evolving brain tumor that was to derail his life in the martial arts on September 8, 1977. That story is detailed in his book "Isshinryu Karate".
Despite the debilitating illness, after several years of very hard work, Master Armstrong did return to some level of stature in the martial arts world ("Seven times you fall down, eight times you get up"). He had opportunity to travel to Israel, and Europe, where he authenticated and validated schools in several countries, and Sensei from several countries came to spend time with Armstrong, not infrequently staying, as his guest, on the second floor of his dojo. I had the good fortune of testing for Isshinryu Black Belt before Mr. Armstrong on February 20, 1988. He was careful to scrutinize everything I did, often asking for second repetitions of my Kata, then offering extended commentary into the Bunkai (combat applications), and significance of the many moves. I experienced first hand the passion he brought to the art, and his desire that it be passed down, in tact.
He was a pioneer, and made great personal sacrifices to pass on his Master's art. Where there was one, there are now many.
Thank you Master Armstrong.
John Robinson
November 23, 2006
Thanks for the memories my friend. I learned so much from you.You taught me that a person has to sweat alot in order to learn life properly. You were a great teacher Steve.!
Tom Antush
November 23, 2006
Armstrong-sensei was an inspiration to Northwest martial artists for many years; not only to students of isshinryu, but to those of kendo, judo, and many other paths as well. His example will not soon be forgotten. Thank you, Armstrong-sensei!
Fred Cline
November 23, 2006
My Dad (Oren Cline 1925 - 2001) was a career police officer in Puyallup. While I was in high school, he wanted me to get some defensive training and that’s how I was introduced to my Sensei (Steve) 1971 - 1973. As it turned out, both my Dad and Steve were from Guymon Oklahoma and they spent many hours talking about the “old town”.
My Dad had a love of photography and approached Steve while Steve was writing his instructional books. As it turned out, my Dad and I took the pictures of Steve moving through his kata’s for his instructional books in the upstairs of his dojo. Steve arranged for us to be photographers at the Seattle Open Karate tournament. I took slide film shots and my Dad has his super 8 mm movie film camera. Steve made everyone who came in contact with him feel special.
I learned so much about not just karate during the three years that I studied from Steve, but also about life that I still keep with me today. His down home sense of humor and how to get through life’s ups and downs made studying from him so joyful, you wanted to be in his presence every day. I was at his dojo three times a week for those three years. It was a sad day when I had to leave karate for vocational training but I kept in contact with Steve for many years there after.
My heart goes out to his family during this difficult time. He truly was a great man and will be missed forever by all that knew him.
Rest well Sensei!
Bryan Schiava
November 23, 2006
I grew up two blocks from your dads dojo and would stop almost daily and press my nose against the glass. What always inpressed me was his size, the size of his character. My sympathy to all the family.
Lohrke Armstrong
November 23, 2006
My Brother and Guide in life.
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