SENSEI
Those who made the road before
Richard Keith
Isshinryu lineage: Tatsuo Shimabukuro → Richard Keith
Born December 25, 1929. Gunnery Sergeant Richard Keith was an active duty U.S. Marine when he was assigned to duty in Okinawa. While stationed in Okinawa in 1957, he studied Isshin Ryu Karate, along with Harold Long and Harry G. Smith, training directly under Master Tatsuo Shimabukuru. He returned to the U.S. and was assigned to duty in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania. Ironically being stationed in New Cumberland, Pa, caused Keith to be associated again with Harry G. Smith, who lived in Hershey, Pa, and just a few miles from New Cumberland. Smith had advertised for students to train in Isshinryu Karate, based in a local YMCA. The first meeting of that group gathered Ralph Lindquist, Jack Sipe, and others. Harry G. Smith and Richard Keith formed a partnership so to speak, and opened a school in Harrisburg, Pa.
It was this partnership that caused yet another split in the Isshinryu system. Smith and Keith had a difference of opinion as to what was more important, kumite or kata.