Instructors

Howard was born in Milwaukee, WI and at age 5, his family moved to his dad’s and granddad’s farm near Medford, MN. His family farmed primarily cash crop and had a dairy herd of nearly 50 Brown Swiss cattle.

After high school just after turning age 18, Howard joined the US Army for 4 years beginning with basic training in Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. While in the US Army Security Agency, his duty stations were Ft. Devens, MA; Clark Air Base, Philippines; Thule Air Base, Greenland; and Vint Hill Farms Station, VA. While in Thule, he also volunteered for the Air Force Rescue Squad. The military also provided opportunities for taking college courses such as Math, English, and other more focused courses via distance learning. Howard’s interest in learning college level studies also continued during his work career.

After his military time, Howard attended Technical School for two years to study Machine Shop-Tool and Die Making. From there he worked in New Ulm and Golden Valley, MN in tool shops. In 1977 he moved back to New Ulm to work in a tool shop as a Tool Designer, Sales Manager, and the last 7 years as General Manager, retiring in 2014.

Beginning in 1977, Howard got involved in his desire to help people in need. After studying for and becoming an EMT by taking classes while in the Twin Cities area, he joined and worked as a volunteer for ambulance services after moving back to New Ulm for a total of 27 years. He also volunteered as a part time Deputy for the Brown County Sheriff’s office for a number of years.

Howard became interested in the martial arts while stationed at Clark Air Base. He observed a Judo class and participated for a short time toward the end of his tour in the Philippines. In August of 1980, he decided that spending too much time on the recliner was not the healthiest trend. So he began his martial arts training two to three classes a week under Master Harold Mead in New Ulm and Nicollet, MN. He continued this training eventually earning ranks of 9th Dan in both Taekwon-do and Shorin-ryu. He also began studies in Shuri-te receiving the rank of 4th Dan, and also Kyokushin Karate receiving a rank of 3rd Dan. Lastly, he holds a rank of 1st Kyu in Judo.

Martial arts provide many desirable traits for a dedicated student of the martial arts that can be used during one’s everyday life. Some of these are increased physical health, mental stability, self-confidence, self-protection, and just being able to better function in life.

Black Belt Instructors

• Kaicho Harold J. Mead  10th Dan (degree)
• Kyoshi Ken Briese  6th Dan
• Kyoshi John Gag  6th Dan
• Kyoshi Terry Stevermer  6th Dan
• Kyoshi Gregg Holm  6th Dan
•  Kyoshi Ray Knutson  6th Dan