# Don’t Take Anything For Granted

- Link: https://brianejohns.com/2024/10/01/dont-take-anything-for-granted/
- Published: 2024-10-01T11:00:00-04:00
- Author: Brian Johns

On Saturday, September 14th, I received a text from Professor Chuck Gauss informing
me of Professor Will Higginbotham’s passing. I was shocked. Like many of his colleagues,
I did not expect this at all. He was healthy and showed no signs of ill health. 
I last saw him at the Annual Michigan Modern Arnis Camp.

![](https://i0.wp.com/brianejohns.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-
09-30-at-7.50.56%E2%80%AFPM.png?resize=809%2C1024&ssl=1)

A photo I took for the [Modern Arnis Pamilya Channel](https://www.instagram.com/modern_arnis_pamilya/)
at the Annual Michigan Camp.

Below is a clip of Professor Will demonstrating his Transitional Flow Drill on my
good friend, Terry Hill, in Bedford, Indiana.

If you are not able to view this video, go [here](https://youtu.be/d6MrNs4B8U8?si=oE62w1WviLikd9Dh).

## I first met Professor Higginbotham at the 1998 Michigan Modern Arnis Camp and saw him at many martial arts events in the Midwest.

For the past few years, he had teamed up with Professors Chuck Gauss and Ken Smith
at many Modern Arnis camps and seminars. I tell you, those were phenomenal times.
The man was a keen martial arts instructor who shared nuances of pressure points
and joint locks. Below is an example shared by GM Chris Thomas.

His joint locks were exquisitely painful, and the man knew his stuff. I was on the
receiving end of his joint locks a few times, and I FELT THEM!

If you are not able to view this video, go [here](https://youtu.be/5dUBALvsXf8?si=vkzqaq2uEBy9s0M2).

In my text exchange with Professor Chuck Gauss, he pointed out that things can change
in a blink. You never know when an all-time great will be around tomorrow or next
week. You just never know. After all, Professor Remy Presas was only 64 when he 
passed in 2001.

To expand on this point, I [have lost four students](https://wordpress.com/posts/brianejohns.com?s=tribute)
over the past few years. They all left a mark on me, and I miss them. Their ages
ranged from 21 to 84. All of their deaths were unexpected. In addition, the mother
of one of my students passed away at a very young age. Lastly, a long-time martial
arts buddy of mine from Notre Dame passed away a couple of years ago after a long
battle with cancer. Don’t take anyone for granted, whether an instructor, student
or friend.

## Again, you just never know. As I said above, Professor Will Higginbotham looked great at 󠀁[the Michigan Camp](https://wordpress.com/posts/brianejohns.com)󠁿 when I saw him in July.

I will attend the Annual ArnisFest from October 11th through the 13th. There will
be a memorial service on Saturday, October 12th. See the flyer below for details.
This will be an opportunity for many to say goodbye to Professor Will Higginbotham.

![](https://i0.wp.com/brianejohns.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/460920083_10233846043674166_1491852992880827686_n.
jpg?resize=791%2C1024&ssl=1)

In closing, cherish all your martial arts relationships, whether it be your instructor,
students, colleagues, and friends. In this day and age, much of our knowledge comes
from everywhere. Learning from our martial arts instructors is precious. When someone
like GM Will passes on, that source of knowledge will be gone forever. As such, 
take every opportunity to seek out those with knowledge you do not have.

## RIP Professor Will.

## Other Stuff I’ve Written

 * [How I Teach Filipino Martial Arts to Children](https://brianejohns.com/2015/07/20/blog-how-i-teach-filipino-martial-arts-to-children/)
 * [2010 ArnisFest](https://brianejohns.com/2010/10/04/blog-2010-arnisfest/)
 * [2010 Michigan Modern Arnis Camp](https://brianejohns.com/2010/07/05/blog-2010-michigan-camp/)
 * [A Freaking Blast at the Michigan Camp](https://brianejohns.com/2022/07/20/blog-a-freaking-blast-at-the-michigan-camp/)
 * [A Great Michigan Camp](https://brianejohns.com/2023/08/01/blog-a-great-michigan-camp/)

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