In Memory of Sempai Sylvester Huyck
Onegai shimasu Hanshi, Kyoshi, Sensei, and Deshi of USRKUSA –
Today I share the terrible news of the loss of Sempai Sylvester Huyck of the Ueshiro Northfield dojo in Minnesota. Sylvester (they/them) passed away suddenly on February 14, 2025, of natural causes. They were 16 years old.
Many of you recognized Sylvester on the deck for their poise and their colorful hair. Any of us who trained with them regularly admired their hard work, grace, and flexibility. Watching them demonstrate kata was memorable for their fierce focus and spirit. Sylvester’s confidence in themself and in their teaching grew each time they led classes.
They began training under Sensei Bob Dobrow at the age of eight in 2016. Sylvester continued their training under Sensei Steve Hatle, and they earned their Sho-Dan in May of 2023, at the age of 14.
Karate was a steady cornerstone of Sylvester’s busy life, and they regularly recruited others to join us on the deck. They would teach their friends techniques and kata during school lunchtimes, and they helped choreograph fight scenes in their school and summer theater productions.
Domo arigato gozaimasu to Hanshi, the Kyoshi, Sensei, and all Deshi for making Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate a welcoming place for young people of all stripes. Sylvester sometimes spoke about opening their own dojo after finishing college, and their dedication to this organization speaks volumes to how much you all embraced them, taught them, and cared for them.
A full obituary is available at the Bierman, Benson & Langehough Funeral Home website. Services in Northfield, MN, were held on Thursday, February 20th, 2025.
In sorrow and in gratitude,
Sempai David Huyck, Sho-Dan
Shihan of the Ueshiro Carleton Karate Dojo
First Promotion, to Ro-Kyu
Fukyugata II
Pinan Sho-dan
Atemi Waza
Naihanchi kata
Promotion to Sho-Dan
The Huyck Family Karateka
Kata Wanshu
Naihanchi in the BWCAW
The Northfield Contingent to Florida, February 2025
