Over the years personality conflicts and power struggles developed between Mr. Patterson and Mr. Johnson that were extremely challenging and eventually divided the dojo.  The name of the dojo was altered to Bushido and the focus of study transformed from Dorku-te to Kung fu and Shorei to Wado-Ryu.  Although the dojo operated under one name, the students were segregated based on the style of martial arts they chose to study.  Master Shaffer shifted from Dorku-te to Kung-fu and then from Kung-fu to Wado-Ryu.  These changes were partly due to the prolonged absence of Mr. Johnson, who had to fulfill his legal responsibilities to the state for an assault charge. 

Struggling through the turmoil and intense isolation, Master Shaffer remained focused on his Wado-Ryu training until converting to Kung-fu after the controversial return of Mr. Johnson.  However, despite the transition he remained extremely respectful of and loyal to Mr. Patterson.  “I will always count him as one of the most decent people I’ve ever known in the martial arts.” 

In the following years Master Shaffer began successfully competing in tournaments, attained the rank of black belt, and met some very influential martial arts experts.  The success he achieved participating in tournaments boosted his self-confidence, taught him new techniques, and reinforced his dedication to martial arts.  At one point he was depicted as an Isshin-Ryu fighter for his “overly aggressive fighting techniques.”

Master Shaffer’s hard work and dedication led him to the rank of black belt in Kung-fu.  Although Mr. Johnson promoted him, he was not given official documentation to support this achievement.  “Rick did not believe in certificates so it was just his word and my belt.”  Master Bruce Lee later reinforced this sentiment.  “He did verify my black belt, but he also didn’t believe in certificates or rankings.”  According to Master Lee, “…a certificate was a good thing for cleaning up a mess.”

Mr. Johnson introduced Master Shaffer to Master Bruce Lee and he trained with him for a short period of time.  Master Shaffer held Master Lee in very high esteem and learned a great deal from his teachings.  “To me he was…a great teacher and an extraordinary martial artist.”  Master Shaffer was unaware of the success Master Lee would later achieve through martial arts and acting.  “I had no idea who he was.  I just simply never gave it a thought that I was in the presence of greatness.  My greatest regret is not having one picture of him.”  Even though they trained together for such a short time, they maintained a friendship for a long time thereafter.

Eventually the personal and professional relationship between Master Shaffer and Mr. Johnson became very strained and caused them to separate in pursuit of different goals.  Master Shaffer converted back to Wado-ryu and continued to train with Mr. Patterson at the Bushido dojo.  Even though he attained the rank of brown belt, Master Shaffer felt his calling was Kung-fu.  He decided to leave the dojo and founded the Karate School of Nashville and began teaching out of his garage.  Since many of Mr. Patterson’s students followed Master Shaffer, controversy formed between the two Dojos that eventually led to a challenge similar to the one that began Master Shaffer’s martial arts training.  Peace between the two schools was only reached after Master Shaffer fought Mr. Jimmy Kittrell, Mr. Patterson’s most experienced follower.  Although Master Shaffer did not win the match, he performed well enough defend his reputation and dojo.   

Shortly thereafter, Mr. Patterson invited Master Shaffer and his students to a tournament in Chattanooga.  Although peace was reached between the two, discontent was still running rampant.  In defiance to the formal invitation that stated “clean white gi’s” must be donned, Master Shaffer dyed their white gi’s black at the local Wishy Washy, a local laundry mat.  According to Shaffer, “we ruined several machines” at the laundry mat with the black dye.  This act of defiance reinforced the name he and his students had been labeled, “the dirty dozen.” 

Respecting his wisdom and valuing his beliefs, Master Shaffer took Master Lee’s advice and lived by his words.  Master Shaffer and his students competed in the tournament and did remarkably well (all except for Shaffer who was defeated by one of Master Harold Long Students).  Mr. Long's student dominated the black belt division and was in awe of all tournament competitors.  As a result, Master Shaffer approached Mr. Long and expressed interest in training under his direction.  He was receptive to teaching Mr. Shaffer and his students under the condition that they would be in attendance once per week for instruction.  

Until relocating to Anderson, South Carolina for employment reasons, Master Shaffer and his students trained out of his dilapidated garage for about a year in Nashville, Tennessee.  Upon his move, Master Shaffer turned the Karate School of Nashville over to Phil McElroy and Roy Vaughne.  Master McElroy and Mr. Vaughne carried on Master Shaffer’s legacy and made the Karate School of Nashville a prominent dojo, which is still in operation today.

After relocating to Anderson, South Carolina, Master Shaffer assumed the position of President of Holiday Health and Fitness Centers and was responsible for sixteen centers in five states.  This position consumed most, if not all of his time, thus limiting his Isshin-Ryu training.  Although he held an occasional seminar and taught limited self-defense courses at his fitness locations, Master Shaffer reluctantly withdrew from the martial arts world to focus on his career and family. 

Six years later upon invitation from the Anderson Fitness Center, Master Shaffer began instructing a limited group of students in Isshin-Ryu Karate.  Although he denied any compensation for his efforts, his instruction was intense, thorough, and extremely demanding. 

Master Shaffer sold his health clubs, retired and went into teaching Isshin-Ryu full time.    According to Shaffer, “I decided to jump back into Isshin-Ryu heart and soul.”  Master Shaffer, with the assistance of David Gabbard, Tony Williams, and Butch Hill, formed the Red Dragon School of Isshin-Ryu.  While developing a group of very gifted, dedicated, and competitive students, Master Shaffer focused on his own martial arts studies and sought training in many areas to include Isshin-Ryu, Jujitsu, grappling, kata, bunkai, Pankration, and weapons. 

In his pursuit to retrain himself in martial arts, Master Shaffer sought the assistance of the following individuals:

Masters Willie Wilson, Butch Hill, Clyde Stanley, and James Ogle mentored Shaffer in Jujitsu and grappling.

Masters Phil Little, Phil McElroy, David Gabbard, and Doyle Seiber mentored Shaffer in kata and bunkai.

Masters Phil Little and Butch Hill were his weapons mentors.

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