Huk was one of the foremost authorities in Parker’s Kenpo. He spent his life traveling the world, spreading the art he loved so dearly and impacting thousands of martial artists along the way. I was lucky to be one of them.

While I may not be a Kenpo practitioner myself, Huk still had a strong influence on me—especially when it came to how I developed a language for my Filipino martial arts. We taught at seminars together, roomed at events, and had countless conversations—some deep, some funny, and many that only someone like him could truly offer.

Huk was part Filipino and had a background in Filipino martial arts too, which gave our discussions a special kind of depth. I’ll never forget when he visited Buffalo and mentioned a particular guitar he’d been trying to find for years. By some miracle, I found it at a local shop, took him there, and he finally got to bring it home. That night, he played at my place, and I just sat back and listened. It’s a memory I’ll always treasure.

His sense of humor? Well, it was definitely one-of-a-kind—not everyone got it. But those who did knew there was a good heart behind it. At least I always saw that.

I can only imagine the sense of loss the Kenpo community must be feeling right now. One of its true pillars is gone. And though I may not be a brother in Kenpo, I am certainly a cousin through the Filipino arts—and if there’s anything I can do to support his memory or his students, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Rest easy, Huk. You’ll be missed.

Respectfully,

Tim Hartman

Datu – Grand Master Presas Arnis

CEO, World Modern Arnis Alliance

#kenpokarate #kenpo #hukplanas