This is all from memory, so bear with any inaccuracies that slip in... Mr. Haw was about 1 3 when he began studying martial arts. His father was a Yudo (not Judo- Korean version of Judo). He went to a store to buy a uniform and there were several types in the
window. The Yudo uniform was
about five times the price of the lighter Tae Kwon Do uniformso he bought the Tae Kwon Do uniform because it was so much cheaper.
They grew up in the Yong Dung Po area of Seoul. Their instructor would give them a crack on the head if they goofed up (Gganda) but Mr. Haw, with his sense of humor, said he would give you something very nicemaybe some "chocolate"hence the term.
Ken Pence
He took me aside and said, "Show me a side kick." I did. He grunted and said it was OK for me to start with his class, and I could still wear my black belt, but, " Forget all that other."
I knew some people in Vanderbilt admissions and got them to look at his records. In short, he was brilliant, got a temporary scholarship, and started in Vanderbilt engineering. I'm kinda vague about this era since I've been hit in the head so many times since, but several things stick in my mind about him...
I'd go visit him in the engineering building at night after class, and he
would be studying with his pipe in his mouth always. Always. He would occasionally go over to the Baptist Student Center and play ping pong (he was pretty good). I'd play a game or two, but usually went over to spar with Read Majors. Mr. Haw taught me to say, "Chall gganda!" whenever he made a particularly good shot.
He would study every night at the engineering building. The textbooks he had were for UPCOMING courses. He would go through each textbook, work every problem, do every example, and correct all the incorrect answers- before he ever went to the class. No wonder they thought he was sharp.
I lived with him on Capers in 1970, and all I remember is that we drank a lot on weekends (Johnny Walker Red label), and the cockroaches were as big as Buicks.
-Ken Pence
Bill Mitchell
John Niedzwiecki
Tuan Pham