Mountains in the morning, beach in the afternoon

He’s gone….

That’s all the text said.  I knew it was coming, but it still…..

“After a long battle with cancer”.  I hate these words.  Even more now since they represent the cruel, twisted irony they played for Dr. Hanna Khoury.  You see, Dr. Khoury spent his life fighting against, treating and researching a cure for cancer as an oncologist. 

I met Hanna and his family when I first moved to Atlanta.  We trained together at another Taekwondo school here in Decatur around 2003.  Immediately, I knew he was the real deal.  Kind, soft-spoken, intelligent and from the “Old-School” of Taekwondo.  He loved Taekwondo, and he made me love Taekwondo even more.  I always loved teaching and training when he was on the mat.  He inspired me to give my best through his spirit and effort.

When I opened Atlanta’s United Taekwondo in 2006, I called Hanna and asked him to come with me on this new adventure.  Without hesitation, he and his family came.  I never forgot that loyalty.  By taking that leap of faith, he and his family molded and determined the shape, culture and community that we have now.

Hanna spoke three languages, was a world-renowned leader in the research and treatment of cancer, and traveled the world giving lectures and courses to physicians waging daily battle against this disease.  He worked incredibly hard, and many long hours, but always made time to come train.  I always teased him, “Don’t work too hard”, as he was getting dressed after class to go back to the hospital. 

For someone that was so important, so successful, he was incredibly down to earth.  He was the most humble man.  Someone like that could build an ego that would prevent him from fitting through doorways.  Not Hanna.

Not only a 4^th degree black belt in Taekwondo, Hanna was an avid runner and bicyclist.  I was always amazed by his athleticism.  Hanna was an incredible father and husband.  His three beautiful children (Mikhail, Iman, Alya) and his lovely wife (Angela) have all been students of mine.  They all share his intelligence, kindness, humility and love to smile.  Iman continues to train.  She is currently a fourth degree black belt with an unlimited potential ahead of her.  Mikhail has grown-up, moved away and become a successful adult. Alya is busy with school and friends.

A year my senior, I looked up to and admired Hanna.  I hope he knew just how much I loved him.

I have lost three great men in my life in the last six months.  My father (Terry Mast), my Master (Grandmaster Moo Yong Lee) and now my friend.  These men made me, molded me and inspired me.  I now live without them.  Sometimes I feel a little lost.  Rudderless.  But then I realize that I’m not lost.  I realize that their lessons, guidance, and friendship have become the rudder for my life.

Hanna and I would often talk of traveling together to his native land of Lebanon.  It was on our “To-Do” list.  “We’ll go to the mountains in the morning, then to the beach in the afternoon”, he would always say. 

I promise you my friend, this has moved from my “To-Do” list, to my “Must Do” list.  I will make this trip, and think fondly of you. 

Rest in peace.