21/02/2026
Auszüge aus der Trauerrede von S. Graff beim Abschied von Jeff Espinous: Lehrer, Freund und großartige Kampfsportler.
Sunny hat die richtigen Worte gefunden um Jeff zu beschreiben….
S.K.
„It is really an honor to be able to talk about Jeff. I speak for myself but I know a lot of you here will agree with me when I say, “I absolutely loved Jeff.”
As a martial artist, he was the best of the best. Jeff was a movement genius, a creator, an innovator. It was captivating to watch him in action. He was multi-talented, versatile and full of surprises. He had a thousand answers for every attack, and he delivered each one with grace, poise, power and elegance.
Jeff was at home in so many modalities; kicking, striking, locking, boxing, trapping, choking, sweeping, throwing, ground fighting ....with every conceivable weapon and most definitely with empty hands, elbows, eye jabs, and head butts.
Jeff was a great teacher. There was never any “half way” with Jeff. He didn’t have the kind of ego many other trainers do. Jeff wanted his students to succeed, he didn’t hold back. He put it all out there.
Jeff invited excellent martial arts teachers to his camps. Many teachers are afraid of the competition. Not Jeff. He was secure in his abilities and willing to share the platform he built with so many others. Jeff was a connecter. He was incredibly respectful and magnanimous.
With his unique skills and delightful personality, he transversed languages, borders, nationalities, federations, systems and styles and brought so many diverse people together in a big family.
Jeff was an innovator and he never stood still. He reinvented himself, his style, organization, program and logo. Jeff was never content to stay in one place. And each time he went through a metamorphosis, he took everybody with him.
KSE (Kali Silat Evolution) is such a strong organization with a wealth of incredibly talented instructors because Jeff was constantly revising, upgrading and perfecting the material. It was his vast repertoire of talent and technique, and the unpredictability of his fighting style that made him so unique. Jeff was CHAOS and PERPETUAL MOTION….Evolution.
Jeff was a great friend. Not only to me, but to everyone. I’ve never heard anyone say, “Jeff was my teacher.” They always say, “Jeff was my teacher and my friend.” Jeff really was a friend to everyone. He had a huge heart and there was a place in it for everyone. He cared. He took an interest in all his students, neighbors, colleagues. Jeff could make you feel special, like the most important person in the world. He had that talent too. He was open, loving and fun to be with. Everybody has a “Jeff story” to share. That is what I will miss most about him, his friendship.
For the KSE family, and the martial arts world, there is a gaping hole, a huge emptiness.
We will keep growing and evolving, because that is what Jeff modeled and what he would want for his organization and for each of us. We carry Jeff’s spirit in our hearts. We carry on Jeff’s legacy in every elbow strike and groin grab we teach.
Lastly, Jeff was a fabulous entertainer. The training hall was his stage. He never disappointed. If the martial arts hadn’t worked out so well for him, he could have been a stand up comedian. When I think about Jeff, I have to laugh. He was always delightfully entertaining. He made training so fun and enjoyable.
We miss you Jeff. Rest in peace, my friend.
by Sunny Graff February 16, 2025
