Mel Wise Memorial Bushido Award

Mel Wise Memorial Bushido Award The official page of the Mel Wise Memorial Bushido Award My sensei, Mr. The award was presented at Mr. Phillip Koeppel, Mr. Glenn Keeney, Mr. James McClain.

Ron Rollins, established the Melvin Wise Memorial Bushido Award in in 1979 to honor the karate elite and to preserve the memory of Dr. Melvin Wise. Rollins' Bushido Shiai tournament in Springfield, Illinois from 1979 through 1983 to such luminaries as Mr. Parker Shelton, and Mr. In 1996, Mr. Rollins sought and was granted permission from Master Koeppel to re-establish the award and present it at t

he annual USKK International Championships awards banquet. At this time, the award was re-purposed to recognize those in the karate world who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, devotion, and the warrior way in their daily lives. This is particularly fitting as Melvin Wise, himself a dedicated and well-respected karate practitioner, sensei, and competitor, worked relentlessly to rise from modest beginnings and become a doctor of chiropractic and later fought and ultimately lost a long and difficult bout with leukemia while yet in his forties. Coincidentally, Mr. Rollins too died of cancer November 15, 2008. He left the care and administration of the award to his student Mr. Frank Fink with strict orders to maintain the prestige and dignity of this time-honored tradition. The award itself follows closely Mr. Rollins’ original design. Each is handmade and is therefore unique. In addition, awardees receive a distinctive Mel Wise Memorial Bushido patch and a copy of the original signed proclamation by former Illinois governor James Thompson commemorating the establishment of the award. Recipients nominate candidates and vote to determine who will become the next honoree. Once nominated, an individual may remain on the ballot for two years, at which time he or she is removed and may not be re-nominated for two years.

Another great picture of Dr. Wise with Hanshi Koeppel provided by Mike Belot
05/11/2025

Another great picture of Dr. Wise with Hanshi Koeppel provided by Mike Belot

Mel Wise vs. Joe Corley circa 1976
05/09/2025

Mel Wise vs. Joe Corley circa 1976

These photos of Sensei Wise with the great Parker Shelton were provided by Mike Belot and shared by John Manley.
05/06/2025

These photos of Sensei Wise with the great Parker Shelton were provided by Mike Belot and shared by John Manley.

12/26/2024
03/30/2024

Remembering the passing of Philip Koeppel Sensei of Matsumura Seito karate, 2 years ago today.
Although I never had the opportunity to meet him, I have heard many good things about him.
He was also a friend with Nagamine Takayoshi Soke, who had also passed away 12 years ago. Sensei Koeppel was the Chief instructor in Matsumura Seito Shorin Ryu Karate. One of our cousin styles in Shorin Ryu.
RIP Sensei
Bill George - Senpai of Nagamine Takayoshi Soke

11/27/2023

It is always inspirational to hear about the many lives who were touched by Dr. Wise. Here is a story shared by one ofhis students, Ms. Susan Coccetti:

I trained with Dr. Wise in the 70's at the North Miami Beach Karate Club, which was Hanshi Pachivas' karate school. Last time I saw Dr Wise was at a outdoor concert, he was sitting in the grass on a hill. I hadn't seen him in years and I barely recognized him, due to his illness. Some drunk guy was causing trouble for the people around him. Dr Wise was ready to shut this guy up, sick or not, calling the guy a punk, which he was! He was a fighter till the end. When I think of that day on the hill, I think of him, my last memory of him and I smile to myself. Dr Wise was a great guy and I miss him dearly to this very day.

Thank you for sharing this experience!

08/19/2022

Dr. John Giordano submitted the following:
We did a show in Costa Rica together also before Mel died he asked me if I would continue teaching his blackbelt Michael Isreal which I did. I also sent Mel to this doctor for holistic treatment for his leukemia but unfortunately the doctor cured leukemia but he died of pneumonia he was too far gone. A little interesting note I was the only non-USKA pallbearer at Mel’s funeral.
Thank you Dr. Giordano for sharing these memories.

12/19/2021

I was saddened to learn today of the passing of Dr. Kathy Sullivan on Thanksgiving day.

These photos are courtesy of Mr. Rick Turnpaugh.
02/08/2021

These photos are courtesy of Mr. Rick Turnpaugh.

11/10/2020
07/20/2020
06/14/2020

Address

Pekin, IL
61554

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Mel Wise Memorial Bushido Award posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Mel Wise Memorial Bushido Award:

Shortcuts

Share