Meet Mr. Rich Hale: A Mentor, Master, and Friend of Boulder Karate
A lifetime in martial arts
If you’ve been around Boulder Karate the last couple of years, there’s a good chance you’ve met Mr. Rich Hale—or at least heard students and instructors talk about him with a lot of respect.
Mr. Hale is a 9th Degree Black Belt in American Kenpo, a martial arts style closely related to our own Shaolin Kempo. With over 50 years of experience training and teaching around the world, he’s regarded as one of the senior masters in American Kenpo—and for good reason. He trained personally under Mr. Ed Parker, the founder of American Kenpo, before Mr. Parker’s passing in 1990, and has dedicated his life to both practicing and preserving the art.
He’s also the founder of the Ohana Kenpo Karate Association, a group that I’m proud to be a part of. In fact, I was certified as a 6th Degree Black Belt through Ohana Kenpo, which speaks volumes about how much Mr. Hale has influenced my martial arts journey.
More than a title
But beyond the ranks, titles, and accomplishments, what stands out most about Mr. Hale is his spirit.
He’s humble, curious, and endlessly passionate about martial arts. Even after decades of training, he still wakes up early to study videos and refine his understanding of Kenpo and Jiu-Jitsu. He’s always looking to grow, and he brings that energy into every class and seminar he teaches. It’s hard not to be inspired by someone who genuinely loves what they do and makes you want to train harder just by being in the room.
How we met
I first got connected to Mr. Hale through a respected black belt in our community, Sensei Stephan. In 2022, I reached out to Mr. Hale, and he spent over two hours talking with me on the phone—even though we had never met. That initial conversation led to his first seminar at our dojo, and since then, he’s returned regularly to teach and share his knowledge with our students.
Last year, I had the honor of staying at his home for a long training weekend. He and his wife Kathie showed me so much warmth and hospitality that I left feeling deeply grateful—not just for the training, but for the friendship. Mr. Hale genuinely cares about his students, and it shows.
A lasting impact
He also happens to love hand-fishing for lobsters off the California coast and spending time at their cabin in Big Bear—which makes for some pretty great stories between rounds of self-defense drills.
We’re lucky to have him as part of the Boulder Karate family, and I’m thankful every time he visits. Whether you’re new to martial arts or have been training for years, learning from Mr. Hale is an opportunity that stays with you.
— Master Brad Randolph