About the Instructor

Robert Kesterson and Ralph Severe during an outdoor training session in Carrollton, Texas.		 Robert Kesterson was born near Marshfield, Missouri, in the year of the Dragon, 1964. He lived in Marshfield until his early twenties, when he learned of Ninjutsu through the writings of Stephen K. Hayes and moved away in search of a Ninjutsu teacher. Through a series of circumstances, he wound up living in Mesquite, Texas (a suburb of Dallas) for several years. Mesquite is just down the road from Carrollton (another Dallas suburb), home of one of the world's most talented martial artists, Ralph Severe, a shihan (master teacher) of Ninjutsu and founder of the Art of Combat fighting system.

In 1993, Robert began his formal training in Ninjutsu under Patrick Dumas, one of Ralph Severe's associate instructors. When he attained his first black belt, Robert began training directly under shihan Severe.

Robert now holds a sandan (third black belt) ranking in Ninjutsu as well as a second level in Art of Combat, Ralph Severe's fighting system. Robert is licensed to teach Ninjutsu as a shidoshi-ho (associate instructor) under shihan Severe, and has been teaching since November 1997.

Robert believes that the martial arts are a path to self-discovery, and that the student will begin to learn and understand far more than how to defend against a physical attack.  He believes that the art of Ninjutsu is particularly well suited to today's ever-changing environment.

Email robertk@robertk.com or call (417)-859-4120 for more information.



Robert applies a painful leg lock to Suzanne Coleman.



Robert sharpens his AOC trapping skills.



Robert with wife Christine, who is a first level in AOC.
Robert training with Brian Komen on take downs.