For many years, Sensei Kendall had been our friend, mentor, teacher, father-figure, and role model for many of us.  Each time we gathered to practice, we never knew what to expect.  Some days it would be a grueling marathon of techniques and floor drills, the next - a test of will.  One thing that we never lacked on was challenges!

He was a man who pushed you to the point of breaking, but held you back from disaster.  He gave you insight through his wisdom and prepared you to do the same when you taught.  His humor brightened our smiles, but his down-to-earth attitude kept us grounded.  This man attained notoriety through martial arts, yet was humble enough to speak frankly and honestly when needed.

On November 14, 1994, Sensei Kendall sadly passed away of a heart attack at age 52.  The original school is still open and running in Germantown, Tn.

Sensei Aaron Bailey
Aaron was born in 1980 in Memphis, TN and first started taking karate at the age of 8.  The reason for taking karate was to try something new.  Karate is now an integral part of his life.  Aaron gained the rank of 1st degree black belt on July 17th, 1997 in memory of his sensei Robert H. Kendall, the founder of Roken.  Three years later he moved to the city of Lowell, MI and started a karate school in 2001.  What started as a drop in program has now progressed to organized classes.  The program continues to thrive and grow. Aaron is now a 3rd degree black belt.  He recently married the love of his life Jamie on June 7th, 2008.  In that process he gained two wonderful step children, Zachary and Kyrsten. And they also have a little boy named Graham born 10/25/08.