Ernest Lieb

 

Ernest Lieb

10th Dan Black Belt

A great friend of Hanshi Lupton and Jiu-Jitsu Ireland

Ernest Lieb was a great friend with great vision, strength and principle.  He devoted his life to karate, and to growing and fostering the sport as more than a competition, but as a way of living life to its fullest.  Ernie was a brother, husband, father and friend, but most of all, he was a teacher, who changed so many lives through his unquestioned example.

Ernie's incredible story began on a steel-grey day in 1940, in the war-torn city of Berlin, Germany, which was spreading its occupation throughout Europe.   On April 14, 1940, just days after Germany's invasion of Denmark and Norway, Ernest and Hilda Lieb found reason to celebrate in those uncertain times, with the birth of a baby boy, a son they named Ernest.

Ernie's father was a painter by trade, who worked as a policeman during the war, while his homemaker mother also joined the workforce as a hat maker and cook.  The Liebs had a long history in the country, as their ancestors were feared land barons in the 16th Century.  As a child, Ernie found time for sports, soccer and swimming like most children, not yet fully aware of the hardships around him.

After the war ended and the bomb-ravaged Berlin was occupied by Allied forces, his father was sent to a Siberian prison.  Ernie's older brother Herbert became the man of the house, and risked his life to steal food for his family.  Eventually, Ernie's father escaped with several others from Siberia, and travelled all the way across Russia to re-unite with his family.

Seeking a better life, the family emigrated to the United States in 1952. They eventually settled in the Muskegon, Michigan  in 1956.  The previous year, Ernie began his lifelong love of martial arts, when he started learning Judo and Karate.

Ernie attended Muskegon High School, where amongst other activities, he served as the Big Red Indian mascot, and loved to go bowling with friends.  In 1959, Ernie graduated from Muskegon High School. He also became a U.S. Citizen, a proud moment for Ernie, who possessed a great love for his adopted home.

In 1961, Ernie enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, and attained the rank of Airman First Class in his four years in the service.  By then he was a 3rd Dan in karate, with a natural, special gift for the discipline, and indeed, was soon considered one of the best in the world of Karate. In 1963, he was chosen as team captain for the U.S. Air Force competition teams, and from 1963-64 he trained advisers to the U.S. Armed Forces for those going to Vietnam.  The advisers represented the Special Forces, Rangers, and Navy Seals, and Ernie trained these "best of the best" in hand-to-hand combat, self-defence and methods of interrogation.  In 1964 he also became the U.S. Air Force Lightweight Karate Champion, and became the first American to win the Korean International Tai-Soo Do Championships, just one of the many impressive accolades he earned in his chosen martial art.

When his service ended in 1964, he returned to Muskegon.  He opened his first karate club, where he founded  the American Karate System, which would receive wide international recognition.  He also joined the Michigan National Guard the following year, where he became a training officer for the academy. He taught  Karate  and expert sniper techniques. He served until 1969.  Ernie also served in the Guard from 1975-79, where he was became the Top Sergeant for the State of Michigan.

In 1969, Ernie also earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Sociology from Grand Valley State College.  Always anxious to learn more, Ernie earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1979, in physical education and a diploma in German from Grand Valley.

He became a Psychologist and family counsellor. But the job became too difficult for him, because he used to become emotionally involved.  Ernie also worked as a guard in the prison system, and for several years he owned a medical supply company serving West Michigan.  He also continued to teach Karate, during which time he promoted more than 380 people to the rank of Black Belt. 

Karate was more than a career to Ernie, it was a way of life. He became one of the luminaries of the sport, and he befriended fellow legends Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris. He won more than 127 trophies and 43 awards. He was named 1973 Martial Artist of the Year by the Black Belt Hall of Fame and Man of the Year by Black Belt Magazine, and was recognized as the head of American Karate in 1978 in "Who's Who."   He also coached the Muskegon Community College Karate team for 12 years, from 1970-82, leading undefeated teams for 11 of those seasons!

But there was so much more to this great man.  Ernie was deeply affected by the death of his brother Herbert from lung cancer. This was a sad, life-changing event for him.  He idolized Herbert as his hero and from that day forward he devoted his life to becoming a more loving and caring person.  Ernie dedicated his life to  helping  other people.  Indeed, Ernie's great strength was his love for people and life. 

He loved animals of all kinds, from his pit bulls to his magnificent Arabian horses, and had a special bond with a stallion named Bay Rafeeq.  He also loved cats, which included his beloved Molly and Bubba.

Ernie loved cars, and during his working years he bought a new car every year.  Sadly, in 1998, following his second car accident, he needed a lot of surgery to his back, neck and pancreas.  Consequently, he was no longer able to participate in active training in Karate. So he turned Club operation over to Dave Thomas.  Teaching was his passion and was able to continue with this aspect.

Ernie also found a special love in a beautiful woman named Jennifer Berlit, who enriched his life so much.  The two met in Germany, while he was teaching at a Karate seminar in the city of Holzminden in 2002.  She was too scared to talk to Ernie, who was such an important figure, so her instructor introduced them.  Ernie invited the very nervous Jennifer to a party later that evening, and when they sat in the car that night, he held her hand, so cold from nervousness, and gently calmed her down.  It was a special moment, and a magical evening for both of them, one Ernie would gladly recount to all who asked.  They began talking on the phone daily, still connected even when separated overseas, and Ernie visited her every year at his annual seminars in Germany.  The two became engaged in November of 2004, and were married on June 21, 2006, in Roosevelt Park, Michigan.

Tragically, Ernie died in Lathen, Germany on Friday, September 22, 2006, in a  freak train accident.  He was a truly amazing man, who led an amazing life. A life full of great accomplishments.  Ernie was blessed with much in his life. He earned accolades by staying true to himself and what he believed in.  As he once wrote, "If we stand by the true principles of life, then life will stand by us and allow us to enjoy it to the fullest."  Ernie always stood by his principles, and enjoyed his life to the fullest.  Most of all, he taught us to do the same. He is  greatly missed.

Mr. Ernie Lieb, age 66, founder of the American Karate System, died unexpectedly in a maglev train accident in Lathen, Germany on Friday, September 22, 2006.  SURVIVORS: wife, Jennifer; 1 sister, and his children.


ACCOLADES:

Military

1961-1964 - United States Air Force - rank of Airman First Class

1965-1969 - Michigan National Guard - Second Lieutenant

1965-1967 - Training Officer for the Academy

1975-1979 - reentered the National Guard as a Staff Sergeant and retired as a Master Sergeant and chosen as the Top Sergeant for the State of Michigan

Martial Arts

1955 started in Judo and Karate

1958 certified as a 1st Dan in Karate in USA

1960 certified as a 2nd Dan in Karate in USA

1963 certified as a 3rd Dan in Karate in USA

1963 was chosen as team captain for the U.S. Air Force competition teams

1963-1964 In Kunsan, Korea, trained advisors to the U.S. Armed Forces for those going to Vietnam. The advisors represented the Special Forces, Rangers, and Navy Seals. Subjects included hand-to-hand combat, self-defense and methods if interrogation

1964 certified as a 1st Dan in Judo and Aikido in Korea

1964 U.S. Air Force Lt. Wt. Karate Champion

1964 became the first American to win the Korean International Tae Soo Do Championships

1964 opened his first karate club in Muskegon, Michigan

1965-1973 won over 127 trophies in competitions and 43 awards as the best referee, judge, and martial arts practitioner

1965 first instructor to teach karate for the Adult Education program

1969 National USA Lightweight Champion

1969 first karate instructor to be approved as an accredited college program in the State of Michigan

1970-1982 Head Karate Instructor at Muskegon Community College for 12 years.

as coach of the Muskegon Community College Karate Team, he lead an undefeated college karate team during 11 seasons

1973 Martial Artist Man of the Year for Black Belt Magazine's Hall of Fame - the highest award bestowed by the magazine by tabulation of all votes sent to the magazine by fellow Martial Artists across the nation

1973 Martial Artist of the Year from Black Belt Hall of Fame

1973 first AAU Karate Chairman

1978 became recognized as head of American Karate in "Who's Who"

1979 earned Master ranking in the martial arts from the American Karate Association

1983-1985 was trained and upgraded in Aikido programs held at the Michigan State Police Academy in Lansing, Michigan. He trained correctional officers at the Muskegon, Michigan Correctional Facility