Grandmaster Ray Witte

On May 19, 2007 Grandmaster Hwa Chong promoted Master Ray Witte to 8th dan black belt, the rank of Grandmaster.

Master Witte has trained for over 39 years and I have had the pleasure of training with him my entire time in the Martial Arts.  I have watched Master Witte over the years mentor and develop many martial artists.

The late 80s through the 90’s Master Witte was the primary person at I.K.Kim Tae Kwon Do to handle all promotions and tournaments.

There are many students that consider Master Witte to be their primary instructor or at least senior instructor.  Most of these martial artists have started from white belt and have been guided along their martial arts path by Master Witte.  I have listed a few of the senior most students that make up this group of Martial Artists.

Master Jeffery Schare – 7th dan
Master Raymond Fay – 6th dan
Master Donald MacFarland – 6th dan
Master Milton Proctor – 5th dan
Master Ken Fender – 5th dan
Ms. Gayle Nyswonger – 4th dan
Ms. Carmen Nyswonger – 4th dan
Mr. Jason Phillips – 4th dan

Master Witte brings practical experience to his teaching of the Martial Arts.  He is currently a retired Cincinnati Police Officer and during his active years, Master Witte was the Physical Fitness/Defensive Tactics Instructor for many years.  With this responsibility as well as his years walking a beat in some of the roughest areas of Cincinnati he has an understanding of practical application that is unsurpassed.

On a personal note from Master MacFarland:
The inspiration to start Eastgate Martial Arts Club came from my years of training with Master Witte.  Many times I, as well as many of his other students, would try to repay him for all he has done for us.  However, Master Witte would never accept gifts of money and always told us that if we really wanted to pay him back, we would teach others. I have hopefully been able to repay Master Witte, as much as possible.  However, I feel that it is much like trying to repay your parents for the years of personal sacrifice that they have undergone for you.  It is truly a debt that can never be repaid.  At Eastgate Martial Arts Club we give Master Witte the high level of respect that he deserves, as we call him Grandmaster!