WHO IS SKIP ELLSWORTH ???
We recommend that you read this page very carefully, because it describes Skip's background in log home building -- etc.
Specifically, this page contains information about the following:
1. Skip's background regarding log homes
2. His experience as a "log home building" teacher
3. His home that was used to film the "log mansion" scenes
of the TV
series, NORTHERN EXPOSURE
4. His association with Bruce Lee (as Bruce's third
student in
America) -- which is described here only
because so many people
ask about it
5. His "semi-retirement"
6. His current log home building classes in America
7. His current log home building classes in Southeast Asia
My name is Mike Simmons. I volunteered to write this "introduction" to Skip. I previously served as Executive Vice President of The Log Home Builders Association Of North America, which is the Trade Association for log home builders. We have over 35,000 members throughout the world.
As a Trade Association, we are listed in such publications as; A Directory Of National Trade Associations, published by The United States Department Of Commerce; The Encyclopedia Of Associations, published by The Gale Research Company; The National Avocational Organizations Directory, published by Columbia Books; The National Trade and Professional Associations of the United States, also published by Columbia Books; etc.
I volunteered to write this testimonial because I want the craft of
log home construction to be preserved for future generations. In my opinion,
the best way I can help preserve this craft is by encouraging people to
attend The Log Home Building Seminar that is taught by Skip Ellsworth. Therefore, I am happy to write to you in this way.
To establish credibility
regarding this testimonial, I will only include facts that can easily be
verified at your public library. I will begin by telling you about the
instructor... DeWelle F. (Skip) Ellsworth (photo directly below)

Mr. Ellsworth previously served as President and CEO of the Log Home Builders Association of North America.
He is acknowledged to be the world's foremost authority in the field of log home construction (as you will see if you read this website).
Skip is a fifth generation log house builder. His great-great grandfather, Ruben Jones Ellsworth, built the first log home in Nashua, Iowa in 1853, as documented at the Library of Congress in a publication called The History Of Butler And Bremmer Counties, 1853.
Skip started working on log homes with his father when he was six years old. The accumulated knowledge of five generations was systematically passed on to him. He has now spent a lifetime studying, researching and teaching this type of construction.
Skip previously taught this two-day (22 hour) seminar through The Experimental College of The University Of Washington for 108 consecutive terms (26 years).
He also taught this seminar at other Universities and Colleges, including (but not limited to) Seattle Central Community College, North Seattle Community College, Shoreline Community College, Everett Community College, Highline Community College, Bellevue Community College, etc.
In addition, he also taught through many government
agencies -- including the City of Redmond, the City of Enumclaw, the City of
Auburn, the City of Issaquah, etc.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CURRENT LOG HOME SEMINARS IN AMERICA:
Skip is now teaching the same two day class that he previously taught at the "University/Colleges" at his ranch near Seattle, Washington U.S.A.
These classes are now open to "non-students," and arrangements to
attend can be made by contacting us at <skip@loghomebuilders.org>.
CURRENT LOG HOME SEMINARS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA:
He is also teaching the same class at his "winter" home, which is
located on a beautiful beach, on a
beautiful tropical island in the
Philippines.
Arrangements to attend the seminar in Asia can
be made by contacting us at
<loghouse@mozcom.com>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SKIP'S ACHIEVEMENTS ARE WIDELY RECOGNIZED:
Skip is a well known lecturer, teacher, and business-man. At this writing, he is listed in Who's Who In Finance And Industry, which is a companion volume to Who's Who In America. He was recently nominated to be included in Who's Who Among Young American Professionals, published by The National Reference Press. He was also recently nominated to be listed in The International Business Who's Who, as well as The World's Who's Who Of Persons Of Achievement, published by The International Biographical Center, Cambridge, England. Who's Who In America and Who's Who In The West recently wrote to him (I have personally seen the letters on his desk) requesting his biographical information.
He was recently accepted to be included in Strathmore's Who's Who Registry of Business Leaders.
Also, he was recently given The Professional Achievement Award by the Professional Recognition Society, of Alexandria, Louisiana.
He was invited to be an American delegate to The U.S./China Joint Session On Industry, Trade, And Economic Development, at Beijing, China (the honorary chairman was Ronald Reagan, former President of The United States).
Articles about Skip's various successes have been included in many major magazines and newspapers, such as; The Wall Street Journal (over one full page about Mr. Ellsworth in the West Coast Edition), U.S.A. Today, Sunset Magazine, Playboy Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, Family Circle, Seventeen Magazine, The New York Times, Log Home Guide, Home Building Magazine, Rodale's New Shelter Magazine, Americana Magazine, The Log House Builders Journal, Hudson Home Guide, This Old House Magazine, View Northwest, Pacific Magazine, Washington Magazine, Country Journal, Practical Homeowner, The Chicago Tribune, The Miami Herald, Nation's Business, etc.
Locally, many articles have appeared in The Post Intelligencer, The Seattle Times, The Everett Herald, The Seattle Daily Journal Of Commerce, The Tacoma News Tribune, Northwest Exchange, The Seattle Weeklv, The Bellevue Journal American, etc.
On two separate occasions, Skip and his log home were featured in extensive articles (with many color photographs) in The Pacific Magazine Section of The Seattle Times. One of these articles appeared on June 9,1991.
Mr. Ellsworth's personal log home can often be seen on television. For example, it was recently featured on KOMO -TV's Northwest Afternoon, in a documentary called Premier Northwest Homes (homes valued from $2,000,000. to $15,000,000.).
SKIP'S HOME IS OFTEN USED IN MOVIES, ETC.:
FOR EXAMPLE: Universal Studios often used Skip's home to film the award winning TV series called NORTHERN EXPOSURE.
His home was the log mansion that was "lived in" by Maurice -- the retired astronaut played by Barry Corbin.
BARRY CORBIN AND SKIP ELLSWORTH.
The above photo was taken in Skip's kitchen during the filming of NORTHERN EXPOSURE.
Skip became good friends with Barry. He says that Barry is a very nice guy -- and a talented actor.
(*** Add more photos here -- of the NORTHERN EXPOSURE group at Skip's ranch.)
The "log mansion" scenes of Northern Exposure were filmed at Skip's home in Monroe, Washington. Skip's home is the log mansion that was "lived in" by the fictional character "Maurice Minnifield" (a retired astronaut), played by actor Barry Corbin.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following paragraphs are excerpts from an article that was published in Entertainment Weekly, April 24, '92.
INSIDE "NORTHERN EXPOSURE"
"Up north, a man's man lives high on the log. From knives to hides, here's a peek into Maurice's digs."
"It's probably the most visited log cabin on TV since Grizzly Adams' - if "cabin" is the right word for a place with a 1,000 square foot living room, and a dining table that seats 24. Northern Exposure's Maurice Minnifield, the ex-NASA jock (played by Barry Corbin) who splashed down in the one state [Alaska] big enough to hold his bluster, calls it home."
"'We wanted to give him a castle that's commensurate with the size of the character," explains Exposure co-creator Joshua Brand, "a monument to himself.'"
"Imagine if you will, a collision outside fictional Cicely, Alaska, between Charles Foster Kane's Xanadu and a hunting lodge. A zoo's worth of moose, bear, and buffalo gaze with glass eyes at museum-quality paintings. An arsenal of rifles and knives cozies up beside Victorian lampshades and rococo sofas. "Guns and roses," Brand calls the decor. "In a way, it's a Rorschach Test for Maurice."
"The [home is] a real log home built about 20 miles outside Seattle by DeWelle F. (Skip) Ellsworth III, who teaches log cabin construction through the University of Washington. His 6,500 square foot home, dripping with hunting trophies, Zulu shields, knives, and even a carriage and sleigh, was used in episodes of Exposure."
"Eventually, Maurice got his own place, built inside a Redmond, Washington soundstage under the supervision of production designer Woody Crocker... "This is a man with a great knowledge of period and style, but who overdoes everything," Crocker says. "practicality is not Maurice's long suit."
END OF ARTRICLE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The above article included thirteen beautiful colored photos of "Maurice's" home.
The log home that was later built in the Redmond studio (for the final episodes of Northern Exposure) was admittedly patterned after Skip's house.
In fact, people on the movie-set often said that "Maurice's" character was patterned after Skip.
(Sorry, Skip. We're just reporting what we've heard.)
Skip, standing by
the front door of his house.
SKIP IS "SEMI-RETIRED" NOW...
At this time, Skip is living primarily at his beach-front home on a beautiful tropical island in Southeast Asia.
On one of his recent trips to Asia, he did not return to America for almost five years -- and there were no seminars or classes during that entire period of time.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SKIP'S CURRENT SEMINARS IN
AMERICA:
Skip still
occasionally returns to America to teach classes at his
ranch in
Monroe, Washington --
but he will soon stop doing so.
SKIP'S CURRENT SEMINARS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA:
He has already started to teach classes at his home in the
Philippines.
More information about the classes in the Philippines can be
found in the "SEMINARS
IN THE PHILIPPINES" Chapter.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING THE CRAFT NOW:
We are hoping that Skip's oldest son, DeWelle, will teach the seminar after Skip becomes completely retired.
DeWelle graduated with honors from the University of Washington (Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa). He also recently graduated from the University of Washington Law School. In the family tradition, he started working on log houses with his father when he was only six years old. Prior to attending law school, he graduated from the only licensed Apprenticeship Program for Log House Builders in the world (his father Skip was the administrator and principle instructor). He later helped his father teach Apprenticeship Programs, as well as the two-day seminars.
We are hoping that DeWelle will someday continue the "family tradition" of teaching people how to build log homes. However, he says that it will probably be many, many years (if ever) before he has time to do this.
We encourage you to learn this craft NOW while the opportunity is still available (while Skip is still alive -- still teaching -- etc.).
SKIP'S FRIENDSHIP WITH BRUCE LEE...
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION ABOUT SKIP'S FRIENDSHIP WITH BRUCE LEE IS INCLUDED HERE ONLY BECAUSE SO MANY PEOPLE CONTACT US TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT IT.
Skip was Bruce Lee's third student in America, and he practiced Kung Fu with Bruce "off and on" for many years. He has been included in many books and/or articles about his friend Bruce.
Skip was recently invited by Linda Lee Cadwell (Bruce's widow), and by Taky Kimura (Bruce's "manager" in Seattle), to become a resource consultant for the world-wide Jeet Kune Do Nucleus. Skip is currently in the process of writing a book about his relationship with Bruce Lee. The purpose of the book will be to "honor" his friend Bruce -- as well as the rest of Bruce's original students.
BRUCE LEE'S FIRST STUDENTS IN AMERICA.
Bruce Lee is in black (with the red belt).
Skip Ellsworth is to the right of Bruce.
Jesse Glover is to the left of Bruce.
Tak Miyabe is standing to the right of Skip.
In the front row (from left to right) are; Jim DeMile, LeRoy Garcia, Taky Kimura.
This photo was taken in Seattle -- perhaps in 1959 or 1960 (?). Skip can't remember exactly where it was taken, but he thinks it was taken at the groups first television exhibition, or at the World's Fair, or at a Chinese New Year celebration at Seattle's Chinatown.
MANY ADDITIONAL PHOTOS OF BRUCE LEE AND HIS FRIENDS ARE ALSO LOCATED IN THE "BRUCE LEE MEMORIAL" CHAPTER.
OBVIOUSLY, YOU SHOULD NOT LOOK AT THE PHOTOS BELOW UNLESS YOU ARE INTERESTED IN MARTIAL ARTS -- OR BRUCE LEE.
WE ARE SORRY FOR THE CONFUSION.
SKIP ELLSWORTH, JESSE GLOVER, AND BRUCE LEE.
As indicated in the right margin of the photo, this photo was developed in August, 1961 -- which obviously means that it was taken prior to that date. Skip can't remember exactly where it was taken, but he thinks it might have been at The World's Trade Fair in Seattle.
SKIP ELLSWORTH AND JESSE GLOVER.
In this photo, Jesse is in the process of doing a Kung Fu form. Skip is waiting his turn.
JIM DeMILE AND SKIP ELLSWORTH.
This photo was taken by the front door of Skip's log house -- in August, 1997.
Skip thinks that Jim DeMile was Bruce Lee's sixth or seventh student in America. Jim has been teaching Wing Chun Kung Fu in the Seattle area for many years. Also, he gives Kung Fu seminars throughout the world.
In the "group" photo, above (showing Bruce Lee with his six original students), Jim is in the front row, on the left.
JESSE GLOVER, SKIP ELLSWORTH, SONNY UMPAD, AND RENATO ALPHONSO.
This photo was taken at the front door of Skip's house in 1993.
JESSE GLOVER WAS BRUCE LEE'S FIRST STUDENT IN AMERICA.
Skip says that Jesse was the best student that Bruce ever had.
Skip says that Jesse had a profound effect on Bruce's life -- and that there never would have been a "Bruce Lee" (as people generally think of him) if Bruce had not met Jesse.
In Skip's opinion, Jesse is one of the very best martial artists in the world -- and one of the finest gentlemen (in every sense of the term) to ever become involved in martial arts.
Skip says;
"When it comes to Jesse Glover, I'm in awe of the guy. For one thing, I've seen the best fighters in the world, and I've never seen anybody better than Jesse -- except for Bruce Lee, of course."
"But even more important than Jesse's skills as a fighter, he embodies all of the excellent character traits that should be part of everyone's martial arts philosophy. He is totally honest, ethical, courageous, loyal, patient, forgiving, forthright, modest, and direct. He is also extremely intelligent, well-educated, and well-read. You can trust this guy with your life."
"At this time, if I have a 'hero' in the martial arts field, it is Jesse Glover. Jesse has been one of my very best friends for 40 years, and I have more respect for him than anyone alive."
SONNY UMPAD (to the right of Skip in the photo directly above) is one of the best knife fighters in the world. Also, he is one of the best "stick fighters." Stick fighting (with various size clubs) is a Filipino martial art form, called "Escrima" or "Kali.".
People come from all over the world to learn knife fighting and stick fighting from Sonny. He currently resides in the San Francisco area, where he teaches these two forms of fighting. His teaching activities also take him to other parts of the world.
Sonny is originally from the town of Bogo, on the island of Cebu, in the central Visayan area of the Philippines. This is within 30 miles of Daanbantayan, where Skip has a home.
RENATO ALPHONSO (to the right of Sonny in the photo directly above) is a dedicated and very capable martial artist. He is one of Sonny's best students. He resides in the San Francisco area, and he often travels with Sonny to other parts of the world.
Renato recently visited Skip in the Philippines. Skip is hoping that he will do so again in the near future.
BRUCE LEE’S WIDOW (LINDA) AND SKIP ELLSWORTH.
In Skip’s letters to us he has written many nice things about Linda, including the following;
"Linda is one of the nicest people in the world. She is friendly, sincere, kind, warm, honest, and loyal. She is very polite and gracious to everyone. I admire her, and I have a tremendous amount of respect for her."
"Linda was always a perfect wife to Bruce. She encouraged him and supported him in everything he did. She stood by him and she was always there for him."
"Linda was an excellent mother to her son Brandon -- and she is still an excellent mother to her daughter, Shannon. When you see them together you can immediately tell that they have a very good "mother-daughter" relationship.
"During one of my last visits with Bruce, he and I began reminiscing about our life experiences. We were discussing various aspects of our lives – including some of our past "involvements" with women. At that time, Bruce told me that Linda was the only woman he ever loved. He also told me that he always remained faithful to Linda. I mention his faithfulness to Linda only because there are so many ridiculous rumors to the contrary. I can assure you that Bruce was always completely faithful to his wife."
"One of the last things Bruce said to me is that Linda is the only woman he ever loved."
Linda recently asked Skip to act as a special consultant for the world-wide Jeet Kune Do Nucleus.
Also, Linda invited Skip to be a guest speaker at the Second Annual Bruce and Brandon Lee Memorial Banquet, which was held on January 17, 1998.
At the banquet, Skip was given a beautiful medallion to commemorate his friendship with Bruce Lee. The medallion is currently hanging in the "Bruce Lee Room" in Skip’s home.
The Bruce Lee Room in Skip's log home is dedicated to photographs and other memorabilia concerning Bruce.
BRUCE LEE’S DAUGHTER (SHANNON) AND SKIP ELLSWORTH.
In a recent note to us, Skip wrote the following things about Shannon;
"Shannon is a very nice person. She has a delightful and captivating personality. Also, she has a lot of talent as an actress, and as a martial artist. She has the same qualities that Bruce had -- including guts, stamina, drive, self-confidence, and an natural talent for martial arts and acting."
"Shannon deserves a lot of respect for what she has already accomplished – and it is obvious that she will be starring in movies for many years to come. I believe that she will be a truly famous actress, and a famous martial artist – just like her father."
JASON SCOTT LEE AND SKIP ELLSWORTH.
Skip says, "Almost everyone in the world knows that Jason played Bruce Lee in the movie "Dragon, the story of Bruce Lee." What people might not know is that Jason’s success as an actor and an athlete hasn’t gone to his head. He is still a polite, down-to-earth, genuinely nice guy. Because Jason is a good athlete, and an excellent actor, it is certain that he will be starring in many more movies -- for many years to come."
CYNTHIA ROTHROCK AND SKIP ELLSWORTH.
Skip says, "Cynthia is a very gracious and charming person. She has a lot of talent as a martial artist and as an actress. She has starred in many excellent Karate movies, and she is well-liked and respected by everyone in the ‘business.’ She will obviously continue to be a major movie-star for many years to come."
TAKY KIMURA AND SKIP ELLSWORTH.
Skip says, "Taky was one of Bruce Lee’s original students in the Seattle area. He is an exceptionally good martial artist – but even more important, he was one of Bruce’s good friends. In the martial arts field Taky has a reputation for being a very nice guy. He is respected and admired by everyone. You will never meet anyone who doesn’t like Taky."
Taky recently reminded Skip about the first time they met. It happened like this; Taky had just joined the "gang," as a new student, but he hadn’t yet met Skip. He was practicing with the group when Skip (still a stranger to Taky) arrived late to join the practice. Everyone was standing in a line doing exercises when Skip approached the group -- pretending to be a stranger. In a very loud and belligerent manner, Skip interrupted the practice and said some derogatory things about Kung Fu. Then Skip (looking very serious) actually challenged Bruce to a fight. Bruce (and the other students) went along with the joke and pretended they didn’t know Skip. Harsh words were exchanged back and forth – and it looked like a serious fight was going to occur at any moment. Taky was completely "sucked in" by this, and he was worried that this crazy young white-guy was going to get badly beaten up – or worse. He was very relieved when everybody finally laughed (including Bruce), and it became obvious that Skip was Bruce's friend, and part of the gang.
TAKY KIMURA, SKIP ELLSWORTH, AND ANDY KIMURA (TAKY'S SON).
Skip says, "Andy Kimura followed in his father’s foot-steps as a martial artist. Fortunately, he also followed in his father’s foot-steps regarding being a nice guy. Taky is very proud of Andy – as we all are."
JESSE GLOVER AND SKIP ELLSWORTH.
In Skip’s opinion, Jesse Glover is the best student that Bruce Lee ever had -- and he knows more about Bruce’s martial art concepts than anyone. Even more important, Jesse was one of Bruce’s closest friends.
Jesse had a profound effect upon Bruce’s life. Skip doesn’t think that Bruce would have gone "all the way" with Kung Fu if it weren’t for Jesse’s influence and encouragement. Jesse (and Bruce’s other friends in Seattle) showed Bruce that Kung Fu could open many "socio-economic doors" for him in America.
In other words, Jesse helped to open Bruce’s eyes regarding what could be done with Kung Fu (socio-economically) in the American culture.
Skip feels that if it weren’t for Jesse, Bruce would have continued with his original plan (which brought him to this country in the first place) -- of obtaining a formal education, and becoming a teacher at the high-school or college level. Based upon his original plans, Bruce probably would have ended up teaching Philosophy, or Psychology, or Sociology.
In other words, Skip believes that if it weren’t for Jesse Glover, Kung Fu would have only remained a serious "hobby" in Bruce’s life -- and Bruce would have remained the world's best "in-the-closet" martial artist.
Thank you, Jesse -- for being such a good friend to Bruce -- and for being such a good friend to Skip.
[Jesse teaches selected students in the Seattle area, and gives martial arts seminars throughout the world.]
Skip says that Jesse is the best Kung Fu man in America. He often uses the word "awesome" to describe Jesse.
LeROY GARCIA AND SKIP ELLSWORTH
LeRoy has been one of Skip's very best friends since the two of them were 15 years of age.
Skip says, "LeRoy was one of the toughest kids in the Seattle area. Other kids would come from all over the city to fight him. He would fight anybody... any time... any place. He would fight them one at a time, or all at once. He was fearless. I saw him get stabbed in the leg once -- about six inches above the knee. The knife went clear through his leg, and out the other side. He didn't even flinch. He just ignored it until he was finished with what he was doing."
Skip says LeRoy takes a punch better than anyone he has ever seen. The guys they hang out with sometimes joke and say, "If you hit LeRoy with a truck, all you get is a dent in your truck."
Skip talked with Jesse about LeRoy long before Jesse and LeRoy were introduced. He would say to Jesse, "You are going to really like LeRoy. You guys have a lot in common. You are going to become good friends with LeRoy once you meet him."
As things turned out, Jesse and LeRoy have been very close friends for almost 40 years.
Skip thinks LeRoy was probably Bruce's sixth or seventh student in America.
Even more important, LeRoy was one of Bruce's closest friends, and he had a major influence on Bruce's life.
For example -- he even taught Bruce how to drive a car.
JESSE GLOVER, SKIP ELLSWORTH, AND EMIL FARKAS
EMIL FARKAS is a legendary karateka who’s dojo in Beverly Hills has been home to many movie-stars. As a side-note, Emil used to be a bodyguard for the likes of Elvis Presley, and the Beattles. He is one of the very best in the business -- a real professional.
PAT STRONG, THOMAS NILSSON, AND SKIP ELLSWORTH
PAT STRONG (on the left) trained with Bruce Lee in Seattle in the early 60’s. Pat has obtained at least one black-belt in almost everything you can think of. Also, he has trained for many years in the Gracie techniques. He gives martial-art seminars throughout the world. He is a nice guy – very friendly and sociable.
THOMAS NILSSON (center) is a noted martial artist from Sweden. In addition to being a martial artist, Thomas is also a well known author. He is currently writing a book about Bruce Lee. Via e-mail, he is often in contact with Jesse Glover, Skip Ellsworth, and others in America. It appears that he will be visiting the Seattle area this year. Skip and his family are hoping that Thomas will stay at their ranch when he is in the Seattle area.
PS – Thomas and his wife have a beautiful daughter named Desiree – born on February 14, 1997. We can hardly wait to see her.
SONNY UMPAD AND DeWelle Ferguson (Chip) Ellsworth, IV, (AGE 2 1/2 -- born May 4, 1995).
Chip is almost ready for some "knife-fighting" and/or "stick-fighting" lessons, uncle Sonny.
A TELEVISION INTERVIEWER (name unknown) AND BRUCE LEE
While going through one of his desks, Skip recently found this photograph that he took of Bruce Lee. This photo was taken in 1959 or 1960, while Bruce was being interviewed on TV by a local Seattle news commentator.
This was Bruce's first televised interview and exhibition. The students who participated with Bruce in this exhibition were Jesse Glover, Skip Ellsworth, Jim DeMile, LeRoy Garcia, Taky Kimura, and Tak Miyabe).
Skip took the photo, but he can't remember which TV station was involved.
SKIP ELLSWORTH AND JO GIAMETTA.
Jo is a very well-known author -- as well as a gracious and charming lady. When Skip last saw her, she was writing a book about Bruce Lee. She visited Skip's ranch, and spent a lot of time interviewing him -- and also interviewing some of the other original students.
Jo and her husband are both very nice people. We heard a rumor that they recently had a baby. If so... congratulations mom and dad !!! Skip hopes that Jo and her family will stop for another visit when they return to the Seattle area. As they say in Italy, "Mi casa es su casa."
MISCELLANEOUS.
We will soon add more photos of Bruce Lee to this website -- and also more photos of Bruce's original students in America. Skip says that a photo of Ed Hart will be added as soon as possible.
(*** Add photo of Ed Hart here.)
ED HART AND SKIP ELLSWORTH
The above photo of Ed Hart was taken near the front door of Skip's house.
Ed was Bruce's second student in America.
Prior to becoming involved in the martial arts, Ed was a well-known street-fighter in Chicago. He was one of the baddest dudes around. He could take a punch exceptionally well, and he could hit like a 12 gauge shotgun.
By 1960, Ed had "reformed" -- and he had already become a hard-core martial artist (the Seattle Judo Dojo, etc.) -- at a time when this was relatively unusual.
Ed and Jesse were room-mates in a "tenement" duplex on the southeast corner of 7th and James, in Seattle (the site is now in the middle of one of the northbound lanes of Interstate 5). Their apartment was almost like a club house, in the sense that Bruce, Skip, and the rest of the guys were always welcome to stop by -- practice Gung Fu -- drink tea -- discuss martial arts, etc.
Ed was a very good friend to Bruce, and he had a large influence on Bruce's life.
Ed is taught Kung Fu in the Seattle area for many years.
We are sorry to say that Ed passed away on December 3, 1998.
MUCH more will be added about Ed here in the very near future.]
If you are acquainted with Skip (if you are a friend, or a former student, etc.) then you might be interested in reading the LETTER he just sent to me from Southeast Asia, which explains what he has been doing recently.
NOTICE:
Everything that is contained in this Website is copyrighted by DeWelle F. Ellsworth
© Copyright 1985 DeWelle Ellsworth. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
Disclaimer: All material provided in this website is provided for amusement purposes only. Consult an architect or engineer regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to your specific situation.