From Deseret News archives:
Teacher dedicated to his art
Although his day job is with Waste Management Corp., most of Jim Wohlwend's nights are dedicated to teaching martial arts.
He started as a kid from Chicago, became a boiler-maker with a career that led him out of the Midwest and eventually landed him in the big city of Vernal.
But he couldn't find much to do in Vernal after a day's work. He did like watching TV and a new show with David Carradine called "Kung Fu."
While wandering around town trying not to be a couch potato, Wohlwend met Grand Master Unford in his Kung Fu studio. It was that meeting in 1982 that introduced Wohlwend to the martial arts.
Now, several black belts, studios and styles of art later, Master Wohlwend continues to train and teach both young and old the spiritual roots of martial arts. Besides Kung Fu, Wohlwend has received black belts in the Chuck Norris method of Tang Soo Do, Tae Kwan Do, Hapkido and more.
"I've had my ups and downs in the martial arts business," Wohlwend admitted, and it hasn't been all on the mat. For years he traveled between two studios, one in Utah County and one in Heber.
"I did martial arts for income to raise my children," he said. "They are now grown with children."
Wohlwend has open and shut a few studios in the past 20 years and had a few business setbacks, but he claims his experience in the martial arts has given him self-confidence and motivation.
One of the greatest influences on Wohlwend were the teachings and direction of Grand Master Bong Soo Han. Grand Master Han, the father of Hapkido, a Korean art, also taught Wohlwend Tae Kwan Do.
"I received my second-degree black belt under Master Han," Wohlwend said. "I'm now a six-degree black belt in Tae Kwan Do. My wife is going for her fifth-degree black belt.
According to Wohlwend, at the fifth degree you become a master. At eight degrees you become a grand master. There are 10 degrees.
"Grand Master Han's death has motivated me to come out and provide more to the public. I run a family-oriented martial arts studio," Wohlwend said.
Currently, Wohlwend teaches out of his 1,100 square foot studio adjacent to his home at 676 E. 1700 South. His clientele includes children to black-belt holders seeking to move up degrees. And he has also trained special needs clients.
"I've taught blind people, those with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and Down syndrome children," he said. "I teach lots of single parents and their children. A dozen or so of my clients have opened their own studios in the area. "I'll probably die as a martial artist." Wohlwend said.
Wohlwend is a former president of the Black Belt Association of Utah and has run several tournaments over the years.
Classes for children are Monday and Thursday at 6 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday at 7 p.m. for adults. Monday at 7 p.m. are special classes for those with black belts. Call 434-4204.
E-mail: pugmire@desnews.com
