Biography – Master Dennis Lockwood

 

 

Master Dennis W. Lockwood’s diverse experiences serve as the foundation of his dynamic direction, keen judgment, and loyal devotion to his students, peers, instructors, the martial arts, and Isshin~Ryu.  He entered the world on July 21, 1943, a native of Salisbury, Maryland.  With over forty-five years of combined service to the United States of America and as a karate-ka, his services range from a cryptographer in the United States Air Force (USAF, 1961-1965), to a programmer analyst for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA, 1976-2005) and martial arts studies of Tang Soo Do to Isshin~Ryu. 

 

(Dennis Lockwood -United States Air Force)

 

 

Master Lockwood was reared in Laurel, Delaware, attended Prince George Community College, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and ended his studies with a Masters in Electrical & Computer Engineering awarded by the University of Amherst, in Massachusetts. He married his wife, Katherine in 1965 while stationed in Greece, and they have two daughters; Laura and Anna.  Master Lockwood is extremely proud of his daughters and grandchildren.  Anna followed in her fathers footsteps and secured the rank of San-Dan.  She studied with her father from age ten and was promoted to Sho-Dan at twelve.  Sensei Anna Lockwood was a ranked competitor from 1982-1986, and is a highly respected martial artist.

 

(Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Lockwood)

 

 

Master Lockwood embarked on his martial arts journey in 1964, when he entered a Tang Soo Do dojo while stationed in Greece.  Upon completion of a year of study, he was promoted to the rank of 5^th Gup, green obi.   While assigned to NASA in Greenbelt, Maryland, Master Lockwood continued to study Tang Soo Do until he moved back to the Eastern Shore and initiated his study of Isshin~Ryu with Master Tom Lewis in Salisbury, Maryland, in 1972.  Master Lockwood was promoted to Sho-Dan in 1974, and was promoted to Nana-Dan in 2005, by Masters Tom Lewis and Reese Rigby.

 

·         1975  -  Appeared on the Wide World of Sports, as a member of the Tom Lewis Isshin-Ryu Karate

                       Club Demo Team

·         1976  -  Started NASA Isshin~Ryu Karate Club (Wallops Island, Virginia

·         1978-present  -  Volunteer Karate services to the Holly Center, Department of Health and Mental

                                     Hygiene for the handicap

·         1980  -  Started Isshin-Ryu Karate Club, Pocomoke, MD

·         1983-1991  -  Director/Head Coordinator “The Eastern Shore Karate Championships”

·         1988  -    Inherited Master Tom Lewis’ Isshin~Ryu Karate School, Salisbury, MD

·         1988-Present  -  Chief Instructor Isshin~Ryu Karate Club, Salisbury, MD

·         1991  -   Head coach for USA Karate Team of Martial Artists traveled to St. Petersburg, Russia

                        part of USA/USSR Martial Arts Exchange

·         1991  -  Head Coordinator for the “World Karate Association International Competition”, Ocean City, MD      

·         1992-1994  -  Arbitrator for the National Black Belt League (NBL) in the MID Atlantic Region

·         1993  -    “Arbitrator of the Year” NBL Hall of Fame"

·         1995  -  Co-founder of the “Martial Artists for Charity”

·         1995-1999  -  Director/Head Coordinator “The Four Seasons Karate Classic Martial Arts Tournament           

·         1999  -  Inducted into the “Eastern Shore Martial Arts Hall of Fame”

·         1999  -  Martial Artists for Charity

·         1999-present  -  Head Coordinator for “The Isshin~Ryu Friendship Tournament”

·         2002-present  -  Head Coordinator for “The Ocean City Classics Tournament”

 

 

(Tom Lewis' Wide World of Sports Demo Team)

(Dennis Lockwood / Wayne Webster / Tom Lewis / Karl Hovey / Al Bailey / Reese Rigby)

 

 

While serving as sensei, Master Lockwood has shared his thorough and perceptive understanding of the principles and spirit of Isshin~Ryu.  He is a skilled orator and recognized subject matter expert within our system, serving as the dojo mate of many noteworthy practitioners:  Toby Cooling, Harvey Hastings, Barry Smith, Charles Murray, Alfred Bailey, Vic Smith, and Reese Rigby.  His many hours in the dojo are complimented by training with other renowned martial artists:  Harold Mitchum, Bill Wallace, Donald Bohan, Rick Niemira, Karl Hovey, Dr. Maung Gyi, Bob Maxwell, Al Smith, Francisco Esteban Conde, Sr. and others.  Master Lockwood has instructed at a cross-section of dojos, seminars and on a range of subjects.    His extraordinary leadership was instrumental in the development and implementation of the operational plans for a series of tournaments responsible for expanding Isshin~Ryu fellowship, and charities—United Cerebral Palsy, Special Olympics, Alzheimer Association-- with a wide range of individuals in need. 

 

 

 

(Master Harold Mitchum visits Salisbury, Maryland Dojo)

 

 

Master Lockwood’s instructional philosophy creates a dojo environment that serves as the bedrock for students achieving quantum improvements within their studies.  His professional acumen and ability to communicate effectively across widely varying communities forged strong personal bonds and liaisons within the martial arts and Isshin~Ryu community.   Master Lockwood is a true visionary and assisted in the development of a successful dojo that continues to honor his sensei, Master Tom Lewis.  He has a valiant fighting spirit, a man of impeccable character, unwavering devotion of duty, and unrelenting perseverance to expand Isshin~Ryu.

 

 

(Dennis Lockwood /  Master Tom Lewis / Anna Lockwood)

 

 

Master Lockwood presents a favorable impression in carriage, appearance, and personal conduct at all times.  He possesses the mental quality to recognize fear of danger or criticism, but faces it with calmness and firmness.  Master Lockwood is decisive and maintains an established certainty of proper performance of duty to God, family, country, and Isshin~Ryu.  He is a sensei of impeccable integrity and soundness of moral principles; with personal and professional characteristics chiseled in truthfulness and honesty.  Master Lockwood has the ability to weigh facts and possible solutions; rules the dojo in a fair and consistent manner; is magnanimous and altruistic; possess the quality of faithfulness to followers and peers; and reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of Isshin~Ryu Karate.

 

 

 

The article is from a publication produced by Perdue, Corp. where Master Lockwood was employed,

 dated 1975