Sunday, February 15, would have been Robert Koga’s birthday. For us at the Koga Institute, as well as for colleagues, instructors, students, and friends around the world, this will be a day of both sadness and joy.
We are grateful and appreciative for the time we were able to spend with Sensei Koga, learning from his wisdom, skills, and knowledge while enjoying his warmth and humor. He gave us gifts of both body and spirit that we will forever treasure.
We mourn his loss. He left a place in our lives that may never be filled, although it will heal. At the same time, we understand that the most important thing we can do to honor his memory is to continue his work.
The fundamental goal of law enforcement is to serve and protect the citizen – to uphold the laws of the land, and to deal with those who break them in a manner that minimizes harm to anyone while ensuring that officers return safely home to their families each and every night. This goal was so important to Robert Koga that he made it his life’s work to share his knowledge and methods with thousands of law enforcement personnel across the country and around the world – just because he believed it was “the right thing to do.” The teachings that he and his instructors have delivered have already saved countless lives over the years.
We, his team of instructors and the Koga Institute leadership team, share Robert’s belief that equipping officers with the knowledge and skills that will help them return safely home each night is “the right thing to do.” This means that classes will be conducted. Students will be trained and instructors will be certified. Additional tools, such as new training videos will be developed and shared for the benefit of all.
The Koga System will live on – and therefore Sensei Koga will live on.
“NO GIVE UP”