Dear Sifu Doug,
Thanks for being a good teacher, not just for martial arts, but also with life. I wished i had learned more from you. I remembered teaching kids in your Yen Ching Tao school in Maui, making them stomp the floor just to let the tenants below the school know that above them, a martial arts class is going on. May you rest in peace good sir.
Truly,
Kris
Sifi Grandmaster McLeod taught me on Kauaʻi with Roger and Blaine etc. I lived with him in Kapa'a and was an instructor in the Dojo. He was a very smart, friendly and funny guy who always had a smile even while telling you how to kill people. A true McLeod. He was quite the Highlander.
He was very selective with who he brought in to his inner circle and often said that he wouldn't teach his high level secrets to people who didn't think would use it properly, or who he didn't think were humble enough. That's rare to find, and something you usually only see in the movies.
He was an extremely skilled martial artist and made everything look easy. He was a real credit to American Kenpo which often gets criticized for not being able to execute the moves in a real situation. Doug could certainly take his pick of moves and use them with full force against any sort of full-intentioned unknown attack, and he expected nothing less from his students. He had a lot of faith in and understanding of the system, and he made his own system which made everything even more fluid, efficient and graceful
He was a master of the highest degree, and had mastered a great many advanced weapons.
I remember him taking me out and getting me drunk as a test to see how well I could focus my chi energy. I was more drunk than I'd ever been up to that point, but I don't think I've ever done so well in darts since then, sober even. He really believed in you and made you feel like you could accomplish anything.
It was a great honor to be a part of his life, and the people who respect him, such as other Kenpo Master Black Belts from Ed Parker's and Tracy's eras, and Grandmaster Tino Tuiolosega.
He was always encouraging us to learn from other sources, and was always bringing in people from different disciples to help us grow, such as UFC & Judo trainers, Muay Thai experts who studied in Thailand, Hawaiian Lua schools etc.
I remember one day he actually caught a passing bird in his hand, using a move that he previously created for his own system which was actually named "catching the bird". If that's not a sign of a true master I don't know what is.
I remember he used to say that no matter what happens in life or what you learn or how bad things get, Martial Arts is something that nobody can ever take away from you, and it will always be there for you, inside you. I've proven that to be true, and he certainly did as well.
That was a great period in my life, He helped me reach my full potential, a potential I never thought possible. I'm forever grateful for the love and care he gave me, he was like my father. I wish I could have seen him again.
Best wishes,
Kalani
IG: kalani_griffin
