Hanshi McGrath Presents

Master Barry Steinberg

January's

Devil Dog

       Barry Steinberg began his study of Isshinryu at the age of twelve, with his brother Phil, about the same age. Upon speaking to him for the first time, I realized that he was an extraordinarily intelligent youngster and quite athletic, as well. Within a month, both brothers, were able to hold their own, with all but the biggest karate-ka on the deck. What they lacked in size, because of their age, they made up for, with an inherent understanding of the principles of Isshinryu. Barry was always the fastest of the two, and therefore, able to dazzle other students with his attacks and slip away from their attacks with a confident ease. In demos, that our dojo did on a continuous basis, he would perform a flying side thrust kick over six to eight grown men who were bent at the waist and break four inches of board, landing lightly on his feet. It often seemed that he could hover in the air, if he wished to do so. As Barry got older, his focus became unbounded. He could sit, slouched in a chair, facing another student holding a Manhattan Phone Book and with a seemingly nonchalant slap of his open palm, knock the holder and chair backward, toppling both the chair and the student in it.

        Later on, while still with the dojo, he began his advanced studies at Hofstra University where he attained both his Bachelors and Masters degrees. He then attended NYU College of Medicine and gained his PhD. NYU also certified his degree in Dentistry. While still in his youth, several of the papers that he wrote were published in the most prestigious Medical journals. He then decided that he did not want to sit still with a Dental degree and left the dojo to attend Ohio University College of Medicine to become an MD. His Residence was in General Surgery at Mount Carmel Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio. At the end of his Residency, Barry decided to specialize in Maxillofacial Surgery at the Medical College of Virginia. At each of these schools, despite the fact that his courses were exhausting and his studies took most of his time, he created Isshinryu karate clubs at each of his schools and taught fellow students.

        While at NYU, he opened his first dojo in Freeport, Long Island, N.Y. There, he turned out excellent students and fighters, giving me the added pleasure of fresh students to fight. Barry himself, while he won his own Championships in New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia, took greater pleasure in his students achievements.

        He has held Faculty Positions at Ohio State University, The University of Michigan, and Presently he is at the University of Florida, as Chief of Service, Division of Maxillofacial Surgery, Chief of Pediatric Craniomaxillofacial Surgery. He is also Director of The Center for Pediatric Facial Disorders, as well as, President of Facing Fut5ures Foundation. This tax exempt foundation treats children locally and globally with facial abnormalities. Most of these are so devastating, they have been shunned and made outcasts. He and a group of fellow surgeons, nurses and aides travel to Vietnam where they treat children and train the local doctors. None of this is at any cost to the children’s families.

        As if this was not enough to do for his community and to show an expression of thanks for his blessings of health, prosperity and fine family, he volunteered to become a member of The Jacksonville Florida Sheriffs Office. He has now been assigned to their excellent SWAT Team, with the present rank of Sergeant. I have received pictures of him armed and ready. Naturally, as he does everything in his life, he has become an excellent marksman, just in case.

        Recently, Barry was honored by the Isshinryu Hall of Fame, in Tennessee, where he was presented with the prestigious “Humanitarian of the Year Award”, by the Directors of the Hall of Fame. With this recognition, I have elevated him to Ku-Dan, Ninth Degree Black Belt, for his courageous nature and generosity for his fellow man, as well as his expertise and forty years of service in Isshinryu. Whatever position he took, in his successful career, he maintained his workouts in Isshinryu and his edge in conditioning, enabling him to walk tall on any deck, for Barry has always, walked the walk.

        After Sensei Nagle, he has been my closest friend in good and bad times and someone to lean on when I was stricken after an extreme operation and went into a coma for two and a half months. He has always been there for me, as I have always been there for him.

Isshinryu since age 12 (40 years).
BA Hofstra,
Masters Biology Hofstra
PhD- NYU College of Medicine
DDS (Dentist)- NYU
MD Northeastern Ohio Univ. College of Medicine
General Surg Prelim. Resident- Mt Carmel Medical Ctr. (Columbus Ohio)
Maxillofacial Surgery- Medical College of Virginia
Past Faculty positions.- OSU, Univ. Michigan and now Univ. Florida
Presently, Chief of Service, Division of Maxillofacial Surgery, Chief of Pediatric Craniomaxillofacial Surgery.
Presently, Director of Center for Pediatric Facial Disorders.
Presently, President of Facing Futures Foundation. This tax exempt foundation treats children locally and all over the world with facial abnormalities. Most so devastating they have been shunned and made outcasts. We also travel to Viet Nam where we treat children and train their doctors. None of this is at a cost to the children.
Presently, Sgt.(res) Jacksonville Florida Sheriffs office. Assigned to the SWAT Team.      

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