American Karate System
Dr. Robert Debelak

Dr. Robert P. Debelak Jr.
American Karate System
6th Degree Black Belt


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Dr. Robert Debelak, 6th Dan, is a member of the AKS Board of Advisors.  He and his wife, Gudrun, represented the AKS in Germany (1984 - 1991) when stationed in Europe with the U.S. Air Force.  Their work contributed significantly to an established AKS presence in Europe (Please see the AKS home page link: AKS Germany).  Today, they make their home in Cleveland, Tennessee with their three sons, Bobby, Daniel, and Micah.


Side Kick


Dr. Debelak's martial art career began in 1973 and includes formal training in a variety of Korean, Chinese, and Okinawan arts.  He holds dan-level ranking in the American Karate System (6th Dan) and Moo Duk Kwan (2nd Dan).  He has 24 years with the American Karate System, and has represented our organization at home and overseas (as instructor and competitor).  His efforts have been geared toward exposing others to the technical quality and traditional values of the American Karate System.


A little class time...


Some of Dr. Debelak's background events and milestones include:

    2002  AKS 6th Dan, Muskegon, Michigan
    2000  Appointment to AKS Board of Directors
    1987  Home Coming Tournament for Mr. Lieb, Germany
    1987  Conducted 2nd AKS NATO Friendship Tournament
    1986  Conducted 1st AKS NATO Friendship Tournament
    1985  AKS Representative, Germany
    1984  Reopened Hessisch Oldendorf AKS Karate Club, Germany
    1984  2nd Dan Tae Kwon Do Moo Duk Kwan, Fort Worth TX
    1982  Instructor, Benbrook Tae Kwon Do Club, Fort Worth, TX
    1981  Instructor, Hessisch Oldendorf AKS Karate Club, Germany

Three of many individuals who have played significant roles in his training and development as a martial artist are:  Ken "Crazy Legs" Lucio (Eagle-Dragon Chinese Kenpo Karate Association); Andreas Modl (Wado Ryu - Dojo Fujiyama);  with distinctive kudos to friend and instructor, Michael A. Sullenger (American Karate System).

Rob comments: "Mike has a keen knack for challenging a person to be the very best they can be.  It has always been his goal to pull the best out of a person and help them grow.  He is a teacher - in and out of the dojo - in the true sense of the word."  I recall a few guiding ideals he emphasized when I first met him over 20 years ago.  He said: "better to be a great brown belt than an average black belt."   Further, Mike instilled well-rounded development: "AKS martial artists are trained to perform in a variety of circumstances  (on the mat or on the streets)  and to be a successful karateka, you must strive to excel no matter where you find yourself."

Mike, I thank God for you.  Your faith, friendship, and support mean more than you know.



MILITARY

Dr. Debelak is an 11 year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, seeing tours of duty in Germany and in Texas.  He was honorably discharged in 1991 to pursue graduate studies.



EDUCATION


Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies - Lee University


Robert P. Debelak Jr., D. Min
Associate Professor of Biblical Studies
Lee University, Cleveland TN

    DMin   Doctor of Ministry, Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA
    MDiv   Master of Divinity, Church of God School of Theology, Cleveland, TN
    B.S.    Bachelor of Science - Biblical Studies, East Coast Bible College, Charlotte, NC
    A.A.    Associate in Arts - Social Science, Ohlone College, Fremont, CA
    A.A.    Associate in Arts - Liberal Arts, Chicago City-Wide College, Chicago, IL
    A.S.    Associate in Applied Science - Administrative Management, Community College of the Air Force


Dr. Debelak teaches courses In Biblical Studies, with an emphasis in Old Testament.  His doctoral work focuses on how the Old Testament Book of Esther offers a paradigm for reading Biblical Narrative.  A ranked faculty member in the Lee University School of Religion, Department of Christian Ministries, he is also Assistant Director of the Tuesday/Thursday Resident program and CAPS (Center for Adult and Professional Studies) Curriculum Development.  Dr. Debelak spent eleven years in the United State Air Force (Chief, Chapel Support Activities).  His career included three assignments spanning nine years in Germany.

For more information on Dr. Debelak's university background and accomplishments, please visit the Lee University website at 

http://religion.leeuniversity.edu/faculty/debelak.asp

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