Mr. Kang Rhee's Obituary
Kang H. Rhee, 81, died Friday, August 16, 2019 at the Christian Care Center in Memphis following a long illness.He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Gee-un (Bucha) Rhee; his son, Yong Rhee (Kyung Jin Rhee); two grandchildren; Jasmine Dahnbi Rhee and Rebekah Ruby Rhee, and many close friends. Born and raised in Seoul, Korea, the son of Sang-Chul and Soon-Pyo (Hong) Rhee, he was the second oldest of five siblings.In 1960, he graduated from Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration; and established Yonsel Univ. Martial Arts Team, serving as captain. Four years later he migrated to the United States to teach TaeKwonDo in Memphis, Tennessee. By 1966 he established the PaSaRyu Martial Arts Association. He was the founder and 10th Dan Grand Master of PaSaRyu until his death. He became the instructor of the late Elvis Presley and Bill “Superfoot” Wallace in the 1970s.Other accomplishments by Grand Master Rhee include: – Head Instructor of Korean Military Intelligence Group Officers. – Trained in Kong Soo Do, Chang Mu Kwan, Kwon Bup, Kang Duk Won and Han Kuk Hap Ki Do 1953-1964. – Seventh Dan Kuk Ki Kwon (H.Q. Tae Kwon Do in Seoul Korea 1975.) – Producer of Annual Karate Championship Fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. State of Tn. Governor’s Award, 1999. – City of Memphis Mayor Certification of Appreciation from various community services and organizations. – Member of Presidents Advisory Council on Democratic and Peaceful Unification of Republic of Korea since 1991. -Founder of the World Black Belt Bureau est.1972.The funeral service will be held on August 23, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. at Korean Baptist Church of Memphis in Collierville, TN with a private burial to follow.For helping Master Rhee’s family to pay for his medical expense.https://www.gofundme.com/f/master-kang-rhee039s-medical-expense&rcid=r01-156634398706-d450152e9f634a45&pc=ot_co_campmgmt_w
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