Allan George Ferens

Allan George Ferens, warrior and statesman, passed away Sunday, March 21, 2021. He is survived by his wife of 45 years Beverly Braverman, their daughter, Chani Braverman Ferens and son, Ross William Ferens, his mother, Anne Ferens, and his brother, Albert Wayne Ferens. Allan was the founder of the Penn State University Karate Club in the mid '60s, which still stands to this day.  He began his storied martial arts career learning Isshinryu Karate at the Elks Building in Pittsburgh and received his Shodon (1st Degree Black Belt) in 1965.  Later, in 1983, he and his wife Beverly founded the Mountain Isshinryu Karate Academy, which branched out to two successful locations.  Together, they educated thousands of students in the ways of Bushido. Allan’s passion for the martial arts led to successes few were able to achieve.  He was the second American in history to be promoted to the rank of Hanshi (9th Degree Black Belt) within the Isshinryu World Karate Association.  A true Master, his expertise extended to all weapons both traditional and modern from Okinawan Kobudo to firearms.  He was inducted into the OIKKA Hall of Fame for Karate. With brains to match the brawn, he graduated from Penn State as an Electrical Engineer.  Throughout his career he excelled in several aspects of engineering ranging from High Power Transmission to sales and job placement. A devout Catholic, he was active in the Church sharing his belief in service with his brother Knights of Columbus. Allan loved his family and teaching in all aspects of his life.  He trained both his children in the art of Isshinryu Karate and self-defense, how to tend their farm, hunting and respect for nature, how to ride motorcycles, and proper respect and handling of firearms. A man with the might of a Mountain Lion and a tender heart.  He will be sorely missed. Friends will be received for a memorial visitation Tuesday, April 6th, 1-8 PM at the JOBE FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, INC. (Monroeville/Plum Chapel) 445 Beatty Rd., Monroeville (412-856-4747). Committal services will be held at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Penn Hills Wednesday, April 7th, 10 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mountain Watershed Association at www.mtwatershed.com or St Jude Children's Hospital at www.stjude.org. Online condolences may be made at www.jobefuneralhome.com.

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