Hreha sensei began his study of aikido in 1966 under Shuji Maruyama sensei, a student of Koichi Tohei sensei, at Ohio Judo and Karate in Cleveland Ohio. After Maruyama sensei moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Hreha sensei moved to Amherst, Ohio where he started a dojo in his home.

In 1971, while an ik-kyu (and a member of the United States Aikido Federation.), he traveled to Japan with the USAF to study aikido at the World Aikido headquarters in Tokyo for a short twenty-one days. While studying at hombu dojo, he took morning classes from Nadai-Doshu whose style of instruction changed Hreha sensei’s approach to teaching. There he also first encountered Mitsugi Satome sensei whose style of aikido was so attractive to him, that Hreha sensei continued to practice Satome sensei’s movements.

Returning to the USA, Hreha sensei continued his study of aikido under Yoshimitsu Yamada sensei, who confirmed his Shodan in 11/71.

In 1972 Hreha sensei moved his dojo to Ohio Moo Duk Kwan in Elyria, Ohio.

Hreha sensei was promoted Nidan at kagami-biraki in 1973.

Late in 1973, Susan McGarry who was attending Oberlin College, came to the Elyria dojo to continue the practice of aikido that she had started in Sarasota, Florida. Susan was instrumental in inviting Hreha sensei to Oberlin, leading to the birthing in 1974 of the Oberlin College Aikido Club that still continues today.

In the summer of 1974, Susan invited Hreha sensei to visit her home dojo in Sarasota to see the “new instructor” that had just arrived from Japan. Much to his delight, Hreha sensei discovered the “new instructor” to be Saotome sensei.

This began Hreha sensei’s continuing study of aikido under Saotome sensei and Hiroshi Ikeda sensei whom he met the following year.

In 1975, at a camp at New College in Sarasota, Hreha sensei participated along with Terry Dobson sensei, Ed Baker sensei and other aikidoka from Sarasota, Chicago, and New York in organizing what is now the Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU).

Hreha sensei was promoted Sandan by Satome sensei at the close of the Mayfair seminar at Oberlin College in 1976 under the newly formed ASU.

From 1974 through 1988 Hreha sensei was chief instructor at the Oberlin College Aikido Club, and he continues his association with the Oberlin Aikikai as Instructor Emeritus.

In 1981 at the Mayfair seminar at Oberlin College, he was promoted to Yondan by Saotome Sensei.

In April of 1984, Saotome sensei promoted Hreha sensei to Godan.

In 1988 Hreha sensei moved to Columbus, Ohio where he took over the instructors responsibilities at the Ohio State Aikido Club. This club was started in 1978 by Ray Danziger a student of Hreha sensei and recent graduate of Oberlin College working on his doctorate in physical education at the Ohio State University.

Ray Danziger, along with Kathy Iselin and later assisted by John Sener and Jody Telfair-Richards all Oberlin College graduates, originated the idea of the Cleveland Aikikai. With Hreha sensei’s assistance, they brought it into being in one form or another in about 1977. Hreha sensei still continues his association with the Cleveland Aikikai.

In 1990 Hreha sensei moved the Columbus Aikikai to its present location. When in Columbus, he continues his association as Shihan and chief instructor. In his absence, Dan McConnell sensei oversees all responsibilities of the Columbus Aikikai.

On March 25th 1994, Hreha sensei was promoted to Rokudan and Shihan by Saotome sensei. This promotion came through Hombu Dojo as the ASU had re-affiliated by this time.

*Because Hreha sensei’s aikido career spans decades, some of the exact dates may be inaccurate.

Personal History:

After 38 years as a tool and die maker, Hreha sensei retired from General Motors in October of 1999. He and his wife June are appointed Home Missionaries for the Assemblies of God in RVolunteers and now live full time in a motor coach. They started traveling in 2000, and have three children and six grandchildren. They help in the construction and renovation of churches, schools, campgrounds, Teen Challenge, and college facilities across the country. When time permits they also participate in missions opportunities that take them out of the country.