Grandmaster Masafumi Suzuki passed away in Taiwan in June, 1992. The funeral was held at the Seibukan in Kyoto, Japan. George Anderson, Pat Hickey and Ridgely Abele represented the United States. Mr. Anderson held 9th Dan, Hanshi by Master Suzuki. He was given the position upon the Death of Grandmaster Robert Trias, a close associate and in some regards, partner.

It was the stated wish of Master Suzuki that Hanshi Anderson assume the successorship to Robert Trias and the leadership of the USKA and that he also assume the advisory leadership in his own Seibukan organization.

Grandmaster Suzuki was a man of immense force of mind and spirit, a great leader with a special his ability to bring people together. It was his genius as an organizer, as a persuader, as a mediator, and a martial arts master that accomplished so much. He was a bridge to the West and was vital to the development of Karate in the Americas. I do not believe that even at this day we realize the breath of his accomplishments in pulling together divergent concepts and equipment, different ideas; merging them into a successful effort to move the martial arts throughout the entire world. He realized what had to be done, and he moved forward. He displayed a special side to those of us who worked with him on international matters. He was a strong man; he was shrewd; he was decisive. He was a man who gave enormously. He always loved his family, his country and the martial arts. The passing of this great man is respectfully noted.

Grandmaster Robert A. Trias passed away in 1989. He was an internationally recognized 9th Dan in Karate and 6th Dan Kodokan Judo, opened his first dojo in Arizona in 1946 and continued practicing karate for 50 years and judo for 39 years. At the time of his death, his association maintained alliances with many international organizations and had strong activities in Okinawan kobudo, koshiki kumite karate and law enforcement training.

Grandmaster Trias was responsible for the development of karate in its present form in the US and the USKA tournament structure was at one time the greatest in the world. Almost every competitor of note in his era was a past USKA Grand Champion. His mentorship produced many famous karateka such as Phillip Koeppel, George Anderson, Patrick Hickey, Ridgely Abele, John Nanay and John Linebarger. His great insight and sponsorship led to the founding of the USA Karate Federation, and the start of Olympic karate in the United States of America.

Professor Sadaki Nakabayashi, holder of the eight degree black belt, was one of highest ranked active Kodokan judoka in the world. During his life time he lost only 4 matches.

He received his first promotion to Black Belt at the age of sixteen and on each successive year following he was promoted to a higher dan. He was the All Japan college champion in the second degree class in 1935 and held the title for third and fourth degree classes. Visiting China as a young man, he competed and won the mainland Chinese Kung Fu Championships. He was a former chief instructor of the Japanese Imperial Guard, a chief instructor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, a chief instructor of the Japanese Imperial Army and an instructor of the US Armed Forces and West Point.

Professor Nakabayashi was a senior technical director of the Kwanmuzendokai International. One of the last events before his untimely death was to represent technical judo at the First International Law Enforcement Seminar at the University of Akron, Ohio and meetings at the Center for the Martial Arts. This memorial to a great teacher and friend is placed with great respect by Thurl Roland McClanahan and George E. Anderson, Judo 6th dan.