Phong Thong Dang, age 90, passed away peacefully after suffering a stroke, leaving behind a legacy defined by resilience, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to peace through martial arts.

Born in Vietnam in 1935, Dang Thong Phong dedicated his life to the study and teaching of the martial arts. His journey was marked by extraordinary hardship. Under Communist rule in Vietnam, he endured persecution and imprisonment, yet even in the face of profound adversity, he never abandoned his principles of harmony, discipline, and love for humanity.

In 1986, after escaping Vietnam, he arrived in the United States with little more than his spirit and his art. Settling in Westminster, California, he rebuilt the Tenshinkai Aikido Federation from the ground up. Through tireless dedication, humility, and moral strength, he transformed the organization into a respected institution that would shape generations of students. Under his leadership, Tenshinkai Aikido Federation achieved official recognition by the Aikikai Foundation Hombu Dojo – Aikido World Headquarters in Japan, a distinction given directly from O'Sensei Morihei Ueshiba sanctioning his spreading of Aikido to Vietnam in the spirit of love and peace.

To his students, he was more than a teacher—he was a mentor, a guide, and a living example of Aikido as the “art of love and peace.” His dojo was a place of refuge, discipline, and mutual respect, where character mattered as much as technique. He taught that true strength lies not in domination, but in harmony, patience, and compassion.

Phong Thong Dang is survived by his devoted spouse, two loving sons, and a cherished granddaughter, all of whom carry forward his values and honor his remarkable life. He will also be deeply missed by countless students, friends, and members of the martial arts community whose lives were forever changed by his wisdom and kindness.

His life stands as a testament to perseverance, cultural legacy, and the enduring power of peace over violence. Though he has left this world, his teachings, spirit, and example will continue to live on in every student who steps onto the mat with humility and respect.