Prof. Ramon "Lono" Ancho, Jr.

Prof. Ancho at the Kodenkan dojo in Santa Clara, CA, 5/14/1999

Editor's Note: The following text was taken from Professor Ancho's student manual and is thus autobiographical. He is currently ranked 9th dan and resides in Costa Rica. In addition to his own Kodenkan Hombu, he is a presiding elder of the Kodenkan Danzan-Ryu Jujitsu Association.

Lono, the name for the Hawaiian god of love and friendship, is certainly a fitting name for a man of Ramon Lono Ancho, Jr's accomplishments.

Most popularly associated with his heroic Vietnam experiences, Ancho's contributions to martial arts, and especially to the development of Kodenkan Danzan-Ryu Jujitsu, are solidly based on more than a single period of his life. To the man himself, his Vietnam experience is but one experience in and eventful life There were adventures before and more after.

Ancho is thought of as a modern-day warrior, a man of action, an achiever, a doer. His life experiences, natually, overshadow many men. He has certainly beaten the odds. Few are aware of the fact that this apparently carefree man earned a total of 28 combat-related citations in his military career and attained the rank of major. The fact that he has become a master of calculated risk obscures an earlier experience, though undoubtedly a less colorful one, that being a student of Master Okazaki at the age of 10. This experience marked the beginning of Ancho's martial arts career.

The post-military Ancho has remained no less active than pre-military or military Ancho. A great believer in sevice, he not only devotes his time to charity and community activities, but at the same time earns a living in law enforcement. Although not considering himself an intellectual, Ancho's achievements have proven him to be a thinking man. Ancho believes deeply, and this belief has underscored his life, that man, too, must serve man.

Ramon Ancho holds senior ranks in Kempo Karate, Kodenkan Danzan-Ryu Jujitsu, Kodokan Judo, the title of Professor in Kodokan Judo, the title of Presiding Elder in the Kodenkan Danzan-Ryu Jujitsu Association.

He has served as instructor to the 82nd Airborne Division, 1st Special Forces Group, 5th Special Forces Group, West Point Military Academy Cadet Judo Team, U.S. Special Warfare School and as Assistant Commandant of the New York Military Academy.

He has instructed celebrities such as Ricardo Montalban, Tony Curtis and acted as bodyguard for Martha Raye. He appeared in movies: The Naked and the Dead, Beachhead (with Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh), Get, Set Go and television appearances with Ed Sullivan, Steve Allen and Jack Parr.

This individual, a man who grew up in an Hawaiian paradise, serves his fellow man while himself having a wonderful time. He continues to serve and look to the future.

Professor Ancho passed away on Jan. 27, 2003 after suffering a massive stroke.

Lono planted many seeds of friendship throughout his lifetime. He will be sorely missed by those of us who knew and loved him.

Prof. Ancho in the 1980's.

Prof. Ancho (center with red shirt) on the last day of teaching at his dojo at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Oct. 4, 1987. This photo is courtesy of Sensei Randy Mullins (shown here on the far right.)

(L-R) George Arrington, Prof. Ancho, Dwight Needham and Leonard Pesheck at a massage seminar in Pennsylvania in the early 1990's.