Robert C. Kasper, 55, of Clarks Summit, died Friday at home after a lengthy battle with brain cancer. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Pat.

Born in Peckville, son of Charles Kasper and the late Irene Wyszinski Kasper, he was a former officer in the Marine Corps Military Police and was an Army Reserves cavalry scout. He was the founder and director of the Gung Ho Chuan Association, Kni-Com knife-fighting system, teaching military, Department of Defense, government and corpor- ate personnel in high-risk environments, as well as air marshals, police and sheriff departments, national and international. He had black belts in several martial arts disciplines and was the founder/chief instructor of personal combative tactics. He was a writer and columnist for several magazines, including “Gung Ho,” “Fighting Knives” and “Tactical Knives.” He was also editor of the combative skills journal “Snapping In.” He was a combative knife expert, a designer of 11 combat knives, and a subject matter expert in establishing knife training for the Marine Corps Close Combat Curriculum. He was also the First Regent of the American Society of Arwologists. As a believer in Christ, he attended Heritage Baptist Church, Clarks Summit. Before going home to the Lord, he was the recruiting manager for Blackwater Security and was previously program manager for Dyncorp International.

His warm, friendly smile, generous nature and loving heart will be deeply missed by all who loved him. He fought a good fight; he has finished his course; and he kept the faith.

Also surviving are a sister, Phyllis Leonard, Florida; as well as many beloved family members.

Arrangements by the Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home, Clarks Summit.

Robert Kasper training with Charles Nelson

Obituary reprinted courtesy of Scranton Times-Tribune