My personal interaction with Master Ed Parker (founder & creator of American Kenpo Karate) By Sifu Robert Mc Dowell It was around the early 70's when I had the pleasure of meeting with Ed Parker.  At the time I met him, I was a black belt in Tracy style Kenpo Karate.   I went to his dojo in Burbank and demonstrated all the “forms” I knew.  He stood there watching and studying me solemnly.  His dark intense eyes would burn holes through me, or I thought at the time.  For reference, I was 24 at the time.   At the end of the demo, he said, “ you're good, but raw.  I suppose you'll get married and have a family and all that”.  I know now that if I had said I wanted to be under his wing forever, he would have trained me himself.  I would have possibly been very successful in “forms” tournaments.  I say this, because I have always been very good at forms.  But this was not to be and I went on to college and a family.   Now to advance forward about 2 ½  years.  Three of us are being tested in a 3 hour test with Ed Parker and my instructor whose name I can not remember, but I think he was a biggie in tournaments and bit parts in movies at the time.  We did all our techniques, all our forms, all basic kicks and hands, and free styled each other.  It was a grueling test.  We then stood in our horse stance as Ed Parker gave us the birth of our belts.  I guess he was around 6'2”, and 220 pounds.  I was 5'2” and 130 pounds.  He gave me a front snap kick to my stomach.  I landed with my butt on the floor with my fists still at my sides.  My instructor was telling and helping me up to my feet.  Ed Parker had large feet.  It was one of the roughest test I ever had the pleasure of taking.   One thing I remember Master Ed Parker saying to me: “If you can improve the art, do it”.