Duk Sung Son

Newport, RI - Grand Master Duk Sung Son, 88, of 375 Thames Street, Newport, RI, died Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at Newport Hospital, Newport, RI.He was the husband of the late Young Jin Kim Son. He was born in Seoul, Korea, on June 17, 1922. Grand Master Son was a founding father of the Korean Martial Art Tae Kwon Do, and was the founder and first president of the World Tae Kwan Do Association. Grand Master Son was the original chief instructor to the Republic of South Korea Army and taught the United States 8th Army that was stationed in Korea after the Korean conflict ended. He immigrated to the United States in 1963 where he taught at the Military Academy at West Point, New York University, Princeton, Brown, Fordhan and many other Universities in the tri-state area. He was the author of two textbooks on the subject; Korean Karate - The Art of Tae Kwon Do and Black Belt, Korean Karate. He taught his martial art form all over the world, and was respected by millions. He is survived by his daughter Yehjong Son and her husband Steven G. Cundy and his granddaughter Lahna Son-Cundy all of Newport, RI. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, April 3, 2011, from 2-7 in the Hambly Funeral Home, Brick House, 30 Red Cross Avenue, Newport, RI. His funeral will be held on Monday, April 4, 2011, at 11:00am in the funeral home.Burial will be in Newport Memorial Park in Middletown. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Alzheimers Association, 245 Waterman Street, Suite 306, Providence, RI 02906.