Grandmaster Ruben Casanova

From Grandmaster Suk Jun Kim, President of Taekwon-Do International


It is with my deepest sympathy that I inform you of the passing of my dear disciple, friend and brother in Taekwon-Do, Grandmaster Ruben Casanova.  He passed away August 17th at 6am, from complications due to surgery.  Grandmaster Casanova was promoted to the level of 8th Dan in October of 2011, showing his devotion and love to the martial art of Taekwon-Do. 

I have known Grandmaster Casanova, and had the privilege of teaching him while he was still in college, back in 1975 as a 1st Dan.  He competed fiercely at any tournament, at any level.  In 1981 he was selected as a member of the U.S. Team, competing in Argentina.  Then in 1984 he would become the captain of that very same U.S. Team, which competed at the world championship in Glasgow Scotland.  In 1986 Grandmaster Casanova became the assistant coach for the New York versus Seoul Goodwill Games, and later he started a Taekwon-Do Club at Harvard.

Grandmaster Casanova has been part of both my Taekwon-Do and personal life, and part of me, for a very long time, and has been an integral part of the success of Taekwon-Do in the United States for both the I.T.F. and W.T.F. organizations.

Although Grandmaster Casanova suffered from diabetes toward the end of his life, he always exemplified the warrior spirit within the martial arts.  He will be terribly missed by everyone that had the honor of knowing him, witnessing his competitive spirit, and the knowledge that he shared with others.  Grandmaster Casanova you have inspired more than you will ever know. 

Services will be held Wednesday, August 20th from 4pm-7pm at Brown & Hickey Funeral Home, 36 Trapelo Road, Belmont, MA  02478.  Phone is 617-484-2534.  

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Grandmaster Casanova (far right) with Grandmaster Kim at General Choi's Cup