David Thomas Sr., 8th Dan, is an Assistant Chief Instructor of the American Karate System.  He is also a member of the AKS Board of Advisors and the Chief Instructor of the Muskegon Karate Club in Muskegon, Michigan.


~ ~ ~ In 1968, I was 18 years old.  My best friend, Steve Thurkettlle (currently a 6th Dan with the AKS), gave me his karate uniform before he left for his enlistment in the Navy.   He said, “Put this to some good use while I’m gone.”  I started in September of 1968 with Mr. Lieb, but was only able to train for three months.  I was however hooked because of what I’d seen and learned during my short time in his classes.

In April 1971, I happened to see Mr. Lieb again at a boat show.  He told me he had formed a new class at Muskegon Community College.  On May 3, 1971, I began what has become a life long commitment to training and teaching the American Karate System.  Martial Arts and the people I have been fortunate enough to meet in the past 35 years have changed my life in every aspect.

Though I have never been athletically inclined, I trained hard.  I tell my students, “I had to work twice as hard to be half as good as my peers.”  I earned my 1st degree black belt in August of 1974.  Along the way, I competed in many tournaments throughout the Midwest; I even won a tournament with a dislocated right shoulder.  Karate had taught me to persevere regardless of the circumstances; it had become one of the most important parts of my life.

Earning my black belt was the most significant achievement at that point in my life.  It gave me the discipline to return to college and complete my Associate’s Degree.  As a project engineer, I succeeded at professional challenges where others had failed over the years.  I have started and managed several prosperous manufacturing companies.  I still consider earning my Black Belt my greatest accomplishment.  This was because in the beginning I could never seem to succeed at anything.

In recent years, my focus has been to share with others the benefits and personal growth that karate has given me.  I have taught classes continuously since 1984.  I have trained and promoted more than 30 students to black belt.  Our class has done the only martial arts series for local television.  I have been twice voted American Karate System Instructor of the Year.  I am also the only recipient of the Herbert Klien Sportsman Award, named after Mr. Lieb’s brother.

Today my personal and professional commitment is to maintain the integrity and high standards for our students, based on the standards and guidelines provided us by our late Founder.  For me, it is imperative they have the same opportunity to grow and learn as I did.  I know their lives will also be changed forever as mine was.

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