Jukido Jujitsu and Kokondo Karate Martial Arts

Shihan Paul Arel;
MRL...
Master Robert Longo, a man with an interest in improving himself first and then passing it on to others. Never hesitant to ask me a question about a certain technique or kata.

He knew he'd get a straight answer. And I was never hesitant to ask him a question about a problem. I knew I'd get a straight answer.

He was a man of varied talents; A gun enthusiast, an art lover, a martial artist a family man and a gourmet. I once told the story of one of our flights on the way to the National Kokondo Seminar in Seattle. I think it bears repeating because the humor in it was unmistakingly related to his type of humor:
Knowing Master Longo's involvement in gourmet clubs and his excellent taste in fine food, my wife Susan had many times threatened him with secretly ordering a McDonald's Happy meal (as a practical joke) on one of his flights. Since it was she who made the flight reservations for us, she could indeed put a plan into action. Master Longo sat in an isle seat opposite me. Down the isle comes the stewardess holding a McDonalds box. "Mr. Longo," She kept saying as she got closer to our seats, "Mr. Longo?" She looked at a little boy who was in front of Master Longo then did a double take at Master Longo and back to the kid; "This can't be right..." and looking at Master Longo she said, "Did you order a Happy Meal?" and Master Longo sort of sang out: "Nooo...but I know who did."
I ate the happy meal.
Turns out I made out better than he did. His meal was even worse.

Anyone who knew him inside and outside of the dojo saw him as genuine.
No pretention, no flash, just the ever articulate engineering approach to everything he did. Veracity was certainly his common virtue.

A powerhouse of technique...a sensei who could put you in a kata and have you hold the stance for what seemed forever...all to one's own benefit.

He made the greatest of impacts on all Kokondo-ka.
"Look sharp! Feel Sharp! Be sharp!"
I'm so proud of the fact that he passed on the techniques we taught him Just the way we would have including my favorite saying: "Take care of the little things and they'll take care of you."
He was a "powerhouse" in every respect.

Paul Arel

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