February 7, 1938 to March 20, 1999
The Eulogy
I come here to mourn the loss of a great martial arts master. I deem it a great privilege to join with others in paying tribute to the memory of Grandmaster Thomas Carroll LaPuppet.
I wish to join with all here and those unable to come in expressing our deepest sympathy and condolences today to his close friends, associates and family.
The tributes that already have been expressed in memory of Tom LaPuppet have been so heartfelt and so moving that it is difficult to say more. In speaking out on the passing of this great man, the limitation of my vocabulary become manifest.
The hearts of the those who worked with him to put the USA Karate into the Olympic family, and all his international and national friends are heavy with this great tragedy because of our deep affection for this man. We all feel that we have lost a personal friend.
He is gone, and we shall greatly miss him. His strength of character, the correct manner, the essential goodness of the man are now but memories.
I first met Tom many years ago during the formation of the national federation. I was very impressed with his energy and dedication to the international popularity of our sport. He was a man of immense force of mind and spirit, a great leader with a special his ability to bring people together.
It was his genius as an organizer, as a persuader, as a mediator, and a martial arts master that accomplished so much. He was a bridge to the large cities and was vital to the development of tournament Karate in the Americas. I do not believe that even at this day we realize the breath of his accomplishments in pulling together ideas; causing them to be merged them into a successful effort to make the martial arts available for everyone, regardless of their financial resources. He realized what had to be done, and he moved forward.
He displayed a special side to those of us who worked with him on international matters. He was a strong man; he was shrewd; he was decisive. He was a man who gave enormously. He always loved his family, his country and the martial arts.
He was a true warrior and he never ran away from a fight just so he could be on the winning side. He stood firmly at my side in the great fight to get karate recognized by the Olympic Committee. We were are proud of being able to fight to do something important, something almost impossible to do, and then doing it. As General Patton said, we wanted to lead an army into a desperate and crucial battle against overwhelming odds - he felt it was his destiny to emerge victorious.
Tom was one of the greatest field generals this sport has ever seen and with him at my side, we too won a victory against overwhelming odds. The results of that fight will be a lasting memorial to this great leader of American Karate.
Master LaPuppet's teachings and influential leadership will be a part of us forever. We owe a debt to his memory, he has left a legacy of devotion to duty and devotion to his principles and to the martial arts. The historians of the future will certainly applaud his many accomplishments. His inspiration and contributions to Karate will long be remembered and appreciated.
Grandmaster LaPuppet symbolized and exemplified an entire era. By any standards he was one of the giants of our times.
The passing of this great man is respectfully noted by all who had the privilege to associated with him and we offer our condolences to his family and students. Tom LaPuppet will not be forgotten.
Delivered by George Anderson, Brooklyn, NY, March 31, 1999