David L. Smith

Obituary

David L. Smith, aka Pai Ching-Lin, martial arts instructor to hundreds, passed away suddenly on May 20th in the presence of his true love and partner of 27 years, Anne Sutton. David was born on August 4, 1948, to Harold Smith and Anna Kurtz, their only child, and raised in the farm country of Cumberland and York Counties, PA. He was educated at Northern High School in Dillsburg, PA, joined Army ROTC, and graduated from Lafayette College in Easton, PA. After college, Dave served in Army National Guard and worked as Metallurgical Engineer for Standard Structural Steel “Electric Boat” in Groton CT designing welding procedures used in many nuclear submarines.  Throughout his lifetime David was an avid fan of auto racing, trains, music, and art.

During his school years, David fostered his love for martial arts and began a lifelong study and lasting career in martial training. We want to honor Dave’s teachers and recognize his accomplishments by sharing these highlights: 

Trained in the Okinawan art of Isshin-Ryu Karate under Sensei Ralph Lindquist in 1966.

Continued his training in college with various styles of Karate and began training in Judo under Sensei K. Yoshida.

Trained under Sensei Louis S. Casamassa in Okinawan Karate, becoming Mr. Casamassa’s first student to be promoted to Shodan.

Met Daniel K. Pai at the Lafayette College martial art club-sponsored tournament in 1970. He was invited by Grandmaster Daniel K. Pai to train with him in CT. 

In the early ’70s, David opened his first Pai-Lum training hall, Pai-Lung P’ai Wu-Shu Kuan, in Gales Ferry, CT. 

In the mid-seventies, he was named one of Grandmaster Daniel K. Pai’s senior students and, in time, was accepted as a disciple; he became one of the original adopted grandsons of Daniel K. Pai. 

In 1980 he was responsible for organizing and running the competition phase of the Third World Kuo-Shu Tournament in Hawai’i. 

In June 1982, he was named chief instructor for the Pai-Lum system in the northeastern part of the US and was one of three people authorized to issue rank and teaching certification in the Pai-Lum system. 

In November 1983, he participated in the 4th World Kuo-Shu Tournament, where he was certified as an international Kuo-Shu referee and was the alternate member/representative of Daniel K. Pai.

While attending referee training in Taiwan, ROC, for the 4th World Kuo-Shu Tournament (1983), was introduced to many famous masters and was fortunate to train with a handful of these men. Most of his training time was with Ch’en Chin-Yuan (South Shaolin Eighteen Bronzeman System), Hsieh Hsin-Keng (T’ung-I T’ang Wu-Yi), Wang Tsao-Yang (Southern Lohan), Ma Tsao-Jih (Feeding Crane), and Lin I-Sheng (Yung Ch’un White Crane).  

Became a disciple of Master Ch’en Chin-Yuan in the South Shaolin Eighteen Bronzeman System and is responsible for introducing this art in the United States, developing new drills and training routines adapting Pai family techniques to the Eighteen Bronzeman training dummy (AKA. the iron dummy), essentially creating a Pai method of iron dummy training. 

Spent much of his time in Taiwan with Master Hsieh Hsin-Keng, training in all aspects of martial arts and learning about Chinese /Taiwanese culture. He is listed in Master Hsieh’s T’ung I-T’ang lineage as his number 9 student.

Dave is survived by his extended Pai family and all those who’ve been inspired by his teachings.  His integrity and dedication to furthering quality martial studies will be missed.

If you wish to honor Dave’s memory with a donation to charity, you can do so at St. Jude’s Hospital for Children, David’s favorite charity. Condolences can be sent to Anne Sutton, 8 Negus St, Webster, MA 01570, and on behalf of the CT & NY Pai family to Bill & Jackie Luciano, 138 LeBarron Rd, Hoosick Falls, NY 12090.

The Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, 48 School St., Webster has been entrusted with his arrangements.  A guest book is available at www.shaw-majercik.com where you may  post a condolence of light a candle.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of David L. Smith, please visit our floral store.