Ernest Horst Lieb
April 14, 1940 - September 22, 2006

Ernest Lieb was a remarkable man, a man of such great vision, strength and principle. He devoted his life to the discipline of karate, and to growing and fostering the sport as more than a competition, but as a way of living life to its fullest. Ernie was a brother, husband, father and friend, but most of all, he was a teacher, who changed so many lives through his unquestioned example.

Ernie's incredible story began on a steel-gray day in 1940, in the war-torn city of Berlin, Germany, which was spreading its occupation throughout Europe. On April 14, 1940, just days after Germany's invasion of Denmark and Norway, Ernest and Hilda Lieb found reason to celebrate in those uncertain times, with the birth of a baby boy, a son they named Ernest.

Ernie's father was a painter by trade, who worked as a policeman during the war, while his homemaker mother also joined the workforce as a hat maker and cook. The Liebs had a long history in the country, as their ancestors were feared land barons there in the 16th Century. As a child, Ernie found time for the innocence of youth, playing soccer and swimming like most children, not yet fully aware of the hardships around him.

After the war ended and the bomb-ravaged Berlin became occupied by Allied forces, his father was sent to a Siberian prison. Ernie's older brother Herbert became the man of the house, and risked his life to steal food for his family. Eventually, Ernie's father escaped with several others from their Siberian prison, and traveled all the way across Russia to reunite with his family.

Seeking a better life, the family immigrated to the United States in 1952, and settled in the Muskegon, Michigan area in 1956. The previous year, Ernie began his lifelong love of martial arts, when he started learning Judo and Karate.

Ernie attended Muskegon High School, where he became very active, serving as the Big Red Indian mascot, and loved to go bowling with friends. In 1959, Ernie graduated from Muskegon High School, and also became a U.S. Citizen, such a proud moment for Ernie, who possessed a great love for his adopted home.

In 1961, Ernie enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, and attained the rank of Airman First Class in his four years in the service. By then he was a 3rd Dan in karate, with a natural, special gift for the discipline, and indeed, was soon considered one of the best in the entire world. In 1963, he was chosen as team captain for the U.S. Air Force competition teams, and from 1963-64 he trained advisors to the U.S. Armed Forces for those going to Vietnam. The advisors represented the Special Forces, Rangers, and Navy Seals, and Ernie trained these "best of the best" in hand-to-hand combat, self-defense and methods of interrogation. In 1964 he also became the U.S. Air Force Lightweight Karate Champion, and became the first American to win the Korean International Tae Soo Do Championships, just one of so many impressive accolades he earned in his storied career in karate.

When his service ended in 1964, he returned to Muskegon, where he opened his first karate club, the American Karate System, which would win worldwide acclaim. He also joined the Michigan National Guard the following year, where he became a training officer for the academy, teaching everything from karate to proper sniper technique, serving until 1969. Ernie later served in the Guard from 1975-79, where he was chosen the Top Sergeant for the State of Michigan.

In 1969, Ernie also earned a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and sociology from Grand Valley State College. Always anxious to learn more and to become better, in 1979 Ernie earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in physical education with a minor in German from Grand Valley.

He became a psychologist and did family counseling, but the job became too difficult for him, because his heart went out to people so deeply. Ernie also worked as a guard in the prison system, and for several years he owned a medical supply company serving West Michigan. He also continued to teach karate, and promoted more than 380 people to the rank of Black Belt in his career.

Karate was more than a career to Ernie, it was truly a way of life, and it gave him so much over the years. He truly became one of the luminaries of the sport, and fellow legends like Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris could be considered his peers. He won more than 127 trophies and 43 awards, was named 1973 Martial Artist of the Year by the Black Belt Hall of Fame, and Man of the Year by Black Belt Magazine, and was recognized as the head of American Karate in 1978 in "Who's Who." He also coached the Muskegon Community College karate team for 12 years, from 1970-82, leading undefeated teams 11 of those seasons!

But there was so much more to the man behind the belt. Ernie was deeply affected by the death of his brother Herbert to lung cancer, which was a life-changing event for him. He idolized Herbert, his hero, and from that day forward he devoted his life to becoming a more loving and caring person like Herbert was. Ernie dedicated his life to doing something good for others, the common thread in everything he did, in all that he loved. Indeed, Ernie's greatest strength came in the form of his powerful love of life.

He loved animals of all kinds, from his pit bulls to his magnificent Arabian horses, and had a special bond with a stallion named Bay Rafeeq. He also loved cats, from his beloved Molly, to the cat he recently rescued from the Humane Society, Bubba.

Ernie also loved cars, and during his working years he bought a new car every year. Sadly, in 1998, following his second car accident, he needed many surgeries on his back, neck and pancreas, and became unable to teach. So he turned operation of his Karate Club over to Dave Thomas. He recently recovered from his injuries, and was preparing to open a new karate school at the Muskegon YMCA in October of 2006. He always loved teaching so much, one of his truest passions.

Ernie also found a special love for a beautiful woman named Jennifer Berlit, who enriched his life so much. The two met in his homeland of Germany, while he was teaching a karate seminar there in the city of Holzminden in 2002. She was too scared to talk to Ernie, who was such an important figure, so her instructor introduced them. Ernie invited the very nervous Jennifer to a party later that evening, and when they sat in the car that night, he held her hand, so cold from nervousness, and gently calmed her down. It was a special moment, and a magical evening for both of them, one Ernie would gladly recount to all who asked. They began talking on the phone daily, still connected even when separated overseas, and Ernie visited her every year at his annual seminars in Germany. The two became engaged in November of 2004, and were married on June 21, 2006, in Roosevelt Park, Michigan.

Tragically, Ernie died in Lathen, Germany on Friday, September 22, 2006, in a maglev train accident. He was a truly amazing man, who led a truly amazing life, a life so full of great accomplishments. Ernie was blessed with much in his life, yet he earned every accolade by staying true to himself and to what he believed in. As he once wrote, "If we stand by the true principles of life, then life will stand by us and allow us to enjoy it to the fullest." Ernie always stood by his principles, and enjoyed his life to the fullest. Most of all, he taught us to do the same. He will be so greatly missed.

Mr. Ernie Lieb, age 66, founder of the American Karate System, died unexpectedly in a maglev train accident in Lathen, Germany on Friday, September 22, 2006. SURVIVORS: wife, Jennifer; 1 sister, and his children

SERVICE: Wednesday, October 4, 2006, 1:00 PM, at St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4475 Henry St., with Rev. Mark Zimmerman officiating. Interment at Oakwood Cemetery.

VISITATION: Tuesday, 6-9 PM, at the Clock Funeral Home. MEMORIAL: Ernie Lieb Memorial Fund, c/o Republic Bank, 917 W. Norton Ave., Muskegon MI 49441. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book. Clock Life Story- Muskegon.

ACCOLADES:

Military

1961-1964 - United States Air Force - rank of Airman First Class

1965-1969 - Michigan National Guard - Second Lieutenant

1965-1967 - Training Officer for the Academy

1975-1979 - reentered the National Guard as a Staff Sergeant and retired as a Master Sergeant and chosen as the Top Sergeant for the State of Michigan

Martial Arts

1955 started in Judo and Karate

1958 certified as a 1st Dan in Karate in USA

1960 certified as a 2nd Dan in Karate in USA

1963 certified as a 3rd Dan in Karate in USA

1963 was chosen as team captain for the U.S. Air Force competition teams

1963-1964 In Kunsan, Korea, trained advisors to the U.S. Armed Forces for those going to Vietnam. The advisors represented the Special Forces, Rangers, and Navy Seals. Subjects included hand-to-hand combat, self-defense and methods if interrogation

1964 certified as a 1st Dan in Judo and Aikido in Korea

1964 U.S. Air Force Lt. Wt. Karate Champion

1964 became the first American to win the Korean International Tae Soo Do Championships

1964 opened his first karate club in Muskegon, Michigan

1965-1973 won over 127 trophies in competitions and 43 awards as the best referee, judge, and martial arts practitioner

1965 first instructor to teach karate for the Adult Education program

1969 National USA Lightweight Champion

1969 first karate instructor to be approved as an accredited college program in the State of Michigan

1970-1982 Head Karate Instructor at Muskegon Community College for 12 years.

as coach of the Muskegon Community College Karate Team, he lead an undefeated college karate team during 11 seasons

1973 Martial Artist Man of the Year for Black Belt Magazine's Hall of Fame - the highest award

bestowed by the magazine by tabulation of all votes sent to the magazine by fellow Martial Artists across the nation

1973 Martial Artist of the Year from Black Belt Hall of Fame

1973 first AAU Karate Chairman

1978 became recognized as head of American Karate in "Who's Who"

1979 earned Master ranking in the martial arts from the American Karate Association

1983-1985 was trained and upgraded in Aikido programs held at the Michigan State Police Academy in Lansing, Michigan. He trained correctional officers at the Muskegon, Michigan Correctional Facility

Tributes