"Speaking from his heart, he touched our souls"

I met Grandmaster in the fall of 1970. I was testing for Green Belt at the time. From the first meeting I perceived that here was a man after my heart. Over the years I have grown to love and respect this humble man known as our Grandmaster and CEO. He has unselfishly dedicated his life to the promotion of Tang Soo Do, and has spread the beauty of traditional martial arts around the world. I have watched as many of his contemporaries have taken the path to financial success while he and his followers have strived to put together a non-profit organization that reaches out and helps thousands of people to become better citizens.

The World Tang Soo Do Association (WTSDA) was formed November 13^th, 1982, at the Airport Hilton in Philadelphia, PA. From its beginning until now, the organization has grown world-wide to boast a current membership of over 150,000 students, producing close to 30,000 Black Belts over the years, with 6,000 actively practicing in 34 different countries.

I have had the opportunity to see many high-ranking Black Belts and Masters come into our Association seeking a purer form of martial art to which to dedicate their lives. Most have continued on with the WTSDA, and to present day are operating thriving dojangs.

Grandmaster Shin was that rare leader who inspired people to be better people. Since 1968 when he first started teaching at his dojang, located in Burlington, New Jersey, he has worked tirelessly to spread the message that self-actualization may be found in the study of traditional martial art. He taught tolerance and respect for others.

He has been a goodwill ambassador, traveling the globe in search of the best martial artists to form a brotherhood/sisterhood of warriors called the World Tang Soo Do Association.

His second great accomplishment came with the forming of the World Tang Soo Do Foundation (WTSDF). This is a non-profit entity that reaches out to people in need through its many dojangs around the world. One of the qualifications for higher Black Belt in the WTSDA is accumulated credited hours of community service.

In 1984, Grandmaster Shin was invited by the China Sports Association to do a martial arts tour there. He and four of his students made the trip. The tour included stops at the Beijing University, the Terracotta Soldiers at Xian, a National Martial Arts Competition at Lanzhou, and was highlighted with a visit to the Shaolin Temple. The WTSDA now has connections to the temple which erected a stele in the temple's courtyard to honor him and the WTSDA. Since the first visit, Grandmaster has taken 26 different Black Belt teams to train there.

He has been a prolific author, with his last work being the sixth book on the art of Tang Soo Do. A brand new central headquarters has been opened in his name, in Burlington, NC; it marks his grandest accomplishment since establishing the WTSDA and the WTSDF.

Grandmaster Jae Shin has been a pioneer in the development of new teaching programs designed to reach out to a whole new range of potential students. The Tiny Tigers/Little Dragons, a program for 4- to 6-year-olds, has changed the way we look at child development. He paved the way so that we now have a program in which special needs students can train and achieve the coveted Black Belt. Championships are well attended. Competitors feel safe and confident, knowing judges at the competition have all been qualified through the WTSDA judges training program.

In Volume VI of Grandmaster's books, he opens the door of advanced hyung to his ranking Masters. This last volume completes a series of manuals, which provide a detailed education to the serious student, and reflects his life's work involving the practice and teaching methods of the traditional Tang Soo Do martial art. He has spent a lifetime setting a stellar example for students of martial arts everywhere around the world to emulate.

Grandmaster Shin was the most disciplined person I know, and the hardest worker in our Association. One of his charming features was that he inspired and taught self-discipline, rather than trying to implement enforced discipline. He was a unique individual who could make people love him at their first meeting. He displayed charm and courtesy towards others, many times placing their needs ahead of himself.

Every century produces a few great leaders. I truly believe Grandmaster Shin was one of those few.

Kwan Chang Nim Robert Beaudoin will act as interim Grandmaster/President until a resolution comes from the Board of Directors concerning permanent appointments.

Grandmaster Shin is survived by his loving wife Sue, his son Robert, and his daughter Catherine. On behalf of Mrs. Shin and family, and on behalf of the WTSDA, I would like to express thanks for the many condolences received from great martial artists and friends around the world, expressing heart-felt sympathy over our loss.

More information and history on Grandmaster Jae C. Shin can be found in the journal Legacy, available from the WTSDA.

Master Chuck Vaughn

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