01/25/2026
From Professor Rick Riccardi:
Dear Niseido Family,
It is with sadness, deep emotion, and many tears that I inform you that at 3:30 AM this morning, the Lord magnified the soul of Sensei Steven Hall, 3rd Dan, and lifted him into His heavenly presence.
Sensei Steve was taken to JFK Medical Center earlier in the day. He had been feeling unwell for several days. Yesterday morning, he called 911. The West Palm Beach Fire Rescue arrived and transported him to the hospital. Marguerite and I visited him yesterday afternoon. He was on a breathing machine, struggling and unable to speak, but he was responsive.
Before we left, I laid hands on him and prayed over him, telling him that he would remain in our prayers and that we would return. Sensei was anxiously awaiting the birth of his first grandchild, which is scheduled for next Tuesday. He is survived by his only child, Angela, and her husband, Eric, along with two sisters and a brother who resides in Taiwan, China. All arrangements are pending until after his grandson is born.
Steve first came to Niseido on August 3, 1998. He was very active, taking part in basically everything since then. He participated as an Uki in 14 Black Belt examinations and in countless Kyu grade tests.
Although it was a struggle for him, he took his black belt exam on August 2, 2013. He received his 3rd Dan on January 23, 2020.
Steve was a big guy with a gentle heart and a very kind demeanor. He served as a Hospital Corpsman (Medic) in the United States Navy, from which he was honorably discharged. He worked as an x-ray technician.
One of the most impressive things was that his Black Belt test was attended by many of his colleagues. Of course, they all knew him as a big, quiet, gentle soul. But after the test, when he returned to work the following Monday, he said he was incredibly overjoyed by the reception and praise from those who were present at his test.
In all the years I’ve known him, and in all the conversations I’ve had with him, I’ve never heard him speak a single swear word or say an unkind thing about another person. He was very loyal and dedicated to Niseido Ju Jitsu, the Honbu Dojo, and our entire membership.
His uniqueness, kind nature, and gentle heart will be greatly missed by those of us who knew him.
Rest in God’s heavenly peace, dear friend. It was our pleasure to know and love you.
The picture on the right was March 8, 2006 with Prof. Mike Junsch, the night Steve tested for Ikyu.
Steven Hall
6/5/62 - 1/24/26
