It is with great sadness that we share with our Taiho-Ryu family and friends that Sensei Doyle Rowland, eighth-degree black belt, passed away April 22, 2022. Sensei Rowland began his training in May of 1971 in Sensei Hardy's first class after Sensei Hardy returned to Pine Bluff, Arkansas to teach Taiho-Ryu full time. Sensei Rowland received his 1st degree Black Belt in 1974 and was instrumental in the development of Taiho-Ryu. During his 50 year career in Taiho-Ryu, he established Taiho-Ryu dojo's in Stuttgart, Arkansas and at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, Arkansas. He was an accomplished instructor, competitor and won many state, regional, and national titles in his years of training and teaching. He was also a member of the five person team which in 1973 took first place in the first ever All-South AAU Karate championships which was held in New Orleans, Louisiana. During his many years of teaching martial arts his students won numerous state and national titles and several went on to become highly accomplished black belt instructors. His legacy will forever be remembered by all of those who competed and trained with him during those 50 years of his dedication to Taiho Ryu. Please continue to keep his family and friends in your prayers.
Liam Jackson, chief instructor for White Hall Martial Arts, posted this tribute to Sensei Rowland:
"We lost another MA pioneer today. Sensei Doyle Rowland began his martial arts journey over 50 years ago with Sensei Bo Hardy. Mr Rowland was not only a skilled practitioner, a patient and knowledgeable instructor, he was also a gentlemen in the truest sense of the word. To my knowledge, Taiho Ryu Karata and Jujitsu is the longest, continually running MA program in the state of Arkansas and Mr. Rowland was an integral part of that organization's longevity."
