Shihan: Sensei Bob Noel, Rokudan
Bob began his martial arts journey in the fall of 1978 under Sensei Frank Gorman and has trained in Uechi-Ryu Karate-do ever since. Over the years, he trained under and alongside his longtime friend Sensei Bill Meiklejohn and taught at Berkshire Martial Arts Academy under the guidance of Master Bruce Witherell. While continuing his study of Uechi-Ryu with both Master Witherell and Master Meiklejohn, Bob also studied Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and practical self-defense.
In June 2009, Bob and his wife moved from Massachusetts to Knoxville, Tennessee. With no established Uechi-Ryu dojo nearby, Bob began training outdoors in a local park, practicing hojo undo, kata, and two-person drills. When asked if he would teach, he agreed. What began as training in the park gradually grew into regular classes.
During this period, Bob developed relationships with local Isshin-Ryu instructors and began attending seminars and tournaments while continuing to teach Uechi-Ryu. He also studied Isshin-Ryu weapons kata and pressure-point methods under his friend Master David Rayburn.
In 2013, Bob formally established his dojo in Knoxville, renting space at Maker’s Ekklesia Dance Studio. That school would become Knoxville Uechi-Ryu Karate School.
Bob was awarded the title of Shihan in 2016 and was honored as Black Belt of the Year by the Okinawan Karate-do Union (OKU) in 2017. In 2019, Master Darin Yee, Hanshi, Judan, then President of the International Uechi-Ryu Karate Federation (IUKF), traveled to the Knoxville area to conduct a seminar attended by Bob’s longtime instructor Bruce Witherell, Hanshi, Judan. During the seminar, Bob was awarded his Godan (5th-degree black belt) certificate.
Today, Sensei Bob holds the rank of Rokudan (6th-degree black belt) and the title of Renshi. He continues to teach Uechi-Ryu, participate in seminars, and coach students interested in tournament competition. After nearly five decades of training, his commitment remains the same: to preserve the karate he has spent a lifetime studying and share it with the next generation of students.
“I have enjoyed the benefits of Uechi-Ryu Karate for over 45 years and will continue to share the virtues and joy of Uechi-Ryu Karate for as long as possible.”
Sensei-Dai: David Higgins, Nidan
David has been training in traditional karate for more than 30 years, beginning his martial arts journey at age 12 in Gōjū-Ryū Karate at the Boys & Girls Club in Monticello, Florida. Over the years, he has studied several Okinawan and Japanese martial arts, including Shotokan, Kishaba Juku Shōrin-Ryū, Yamane-Ryū Kobudo, and Uechi-Ryū Karate.
Under the guidance of Sensei Bill Lucas, David earned his Shodan (1st-degree black belt) in Kishaba Juku after six years of dedicated training. After moving to Knoxville, Tennessee in 2012, After moving to Knoxville, Tennessee in 2012, he continued his martial arts training and joined Knoxville Uechi-Ryu Karate School in 2018, training under Sensei Bob Noel. He earned his Nidan (2nd-degree black belt) in May 2025 and currently serves as Sensei-Dai (Assistant Instructor) and leads the school’s Tuesday evening classes.
David’s approach to teaching emphasizes understanding the principles behind karate rather than simply memorizing techniques. His instruction focuses on strong fundamentals, body mechanics, kata and bunkai, practical application, and helping students understand how the concepts developed through traditional training apply beyond any single technique.
Alongside his Uechi-Ryu training, David continues to actively study Kishaba Juku Shōrin-Ryū and Yamane-Ryū Kobudo. His continued study of other Okinawan martial traditions broadens his understanding of movement, body mechanics, and application while keeping Uechi-Ryu at the center of his instruction at Knoxville Uechi-Ryu Karate School.