Instructors

INSTRUCTORS

Rick Kemmerer

Patrick “Rick” Kemmerer Sr. currently holds the rank of 6th Degree Black Belt. He is the former owner of Smith’s Karate and ran the school from 1993-2009. Rick retired as the Director of Tactical Operations for the MD Division of Correction in 2004 and has since been a Patrol Deputy with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

Mike Robinson

Mike is a former police officer, retired correctional officer, and former self-defense instructor with the Hagerstown Police Dept. He is currently an armed security officer with the US Coast Guard facility in WV. Mike began his martial arts career in Tae Kwon Do in 1973 and currently holds a 6^th degree black belt. He is also a 1^st degree black belt in Okinawan Kobudo, which he has trained in and taught for 30 years, a 2nd degree black belt in Muso Jikiden Eshin Ryu Iai-jutsu (Japanese sword style), and holds a 2^nd kyu rank in Shindo Muso-ryu Jojutsu. Mike also trains in Kosho Ryu Kempo and is a current member of Jikisin Kai International and the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai (an organization in Japan regulating martial arts). At Smith’s Karate, Mike teaches adult classes, as well as Muso jikiden Eshin Ryu Iai-jutsu and Okinawan Kobudo.

Pat Hunt

Pat began her martial arts career in 1973 with Shorin Ryu Karate. She obtained her 1^st degree Black Belt (1981) and her 2nd degree Black Belt while at Kreimer’s Karate. Pat found her home with Smith's Karate in 1998, and currently holds a 5^th degree black belt. While at Smith's, Pat also became interested in Iaijutsu, the art of Samurai Swordsmanship and has obtained a 1^st Dan Ranking. Pat attends several seminars a year, is a member of Jikishin Kai International, and is also a student of Kosho Ryu Kempo and Jojutsu. At Smith’s Karate, Pat is chief instructor and manager. She teaches adult and children’s TKD classes, weapons and swordsmanship classes. Outside of Smith’s, Pat is a FCPS Bus Driver and enjoys gardening and playing soccer.

Mark Keefer

Marilyn Disbennet

Mark has been with Smith’s Karate since 1991. He achieved the rank of 4th degree black belt in 2003 and earned his 5th degree in 2010. Mark has attended various Krav Maga and mixed martial arts seminars. At Smith’s Karate, Mark is a chief instructor and co-manages the school along with Pat. He teaches children and adult classes, as well as the cardio karate program. Outside of Smith’s Karate, Mark is a local public school teacher.

Braden Grosh

Emily Brown began martial arts training at the age of 5 and earned her 1st degree Junior Black Belt (from Kreimer's Karate) at the age of 9. She joined Smith's Karate in 2006, where she also earned the rank of Junior Black Belt. Emily assists in teaching the Kindergarten and Children's classes at Smith's Karate. As a high school freshman this year, Emily became the first female wrestler on the Middletown Boys Varsity Wrestling Team, placing third at the 2009 Frederick County Tournament.

Braden has been attending Smith’s Karate since 1999. She earned her Junior 1st degree black belt in 2007. Then in 2008, she acheived her 1st degree black belt. At Smith’s, Braden assists in teaching the kindergarten and children’s classes. Braden is also an avid runner and runs on the Smithsburg High School Varsity Cross Country Team.