Thoughts, stories, and ideas from Sensei Steve Gottwirt

Thoughts, stories, and ideas from                  Sensei Steve Gottwirt
Some of these thoughts, stories, and personal history appeared in our newsletter, "Dō Gakuin News". Few members have been with us since our first issue in 1993. As such, ideas on this page may have been printed before, but are worth telling again.

Sunday, November 1, 2015

RIP Mike Davis

I sent out two Facebook ‘friend requests’ a few weeks ago to longtime Black Belt Academy classmates: Ken Muller and Mike Davis. Ken accepted my request a couple of days ago and gave me the sad news that Mike passed away June 10, 2015. Kenny and Mike started training together, came up through the ranks together, made Black Belt together – you get the idea. They were both good at kata, strong fighters; some considered them the ‘twin towers’ of the dojo. Mike visited my Westbury dojo, sat on a Shinsa examination board, and offered keen insights to my students.

Mike Davis joined the NYPD in July 1984, working his way up to gold shield detective. He was a first-responder for the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Mike retired in July 2004, and then joined an insurance firm in December 2007, becoming assistant vice president, US facilities and security.

Unfortunately, Mike developed a 9/11 related cancer. From what I gather, complications were rough. Even so, Mike showed strong will and good spirits, often kidding around, right up to the end. Rest in peace, my friend.

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