Sensei Wesley H. Dobbs was born 14 May, 1927 in Twin Falls, Idaho. He graduated from Mission High School in San Francisco, California in 1945. Sensei Dobbs was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1945. He was stationed in the Far East Theatre-Japan. While in the army, Sensei Dobbs learned and practiced unarmed defense. In
Following his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army in 1947, Sensei Dobbs went to work for the Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office. This began an illustrious career in law enforcement. During the years of 1947-1965, Sensei Dobbs served in the Twin Falls Police Department as the Assistant Chief of Police, the San Jose Police Department and the Idaho State Police Department. While in San Jose, Sensei Dobbs earned his Bachelor of Arts in Police Science from San Jose State College in 1951.
In 1950 he was commissioned in the United States Army Reserve and recalled in 1951 to active duty in the U.S. Army (Military Police Corps) during the Korean War. While on active duty, Sensei Dobbs commanded the Military Police Unit assigned to protect President Dwight D. Eisenhower during his inauguration in Washington D.C. in 1953. Following his second honorable discharge, Sensei Dobbs remained in the USAR (Heavy Infantry, Military Police, and Combat Support Company Commander) and in the Idaho Army National Guard 116th Armored Cavalry Regiment where he retired in 1981 with over 31 years of service and with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
In 1947 upon entering San Jose State College, Sensei Dobbs enrolled in the judo course under Sensei Yoshiro Uchida. He instantly took to the sport and began training at night at the San Jose Buddhist Temple with Sensei Moon Kikuchi and Mits Endo. Sensei Dobbs competed in his first tournament against the San Francisco team coached by Mits Kimura. He was a member of the San Jose State College team that won and retired the California Championship trophies. He received his Shodan at the Northern California Championships in Stockton, California in 1950 when he was named outstanding judoka. The presentation was made by Sensei Hank Ogawa. In 1951, the first PAAU Championships were held at the University of California. Sensei Dobbs won the heavyweight championship while weighing 185 pounds. Sensei Dobbs career as a judo competitor was a long and successful one. He competed in his final match at the age of 44 against Sheldon Yamasaki. This championship match went into 2 overtimes!
On September 27th, 1957 Sensei Dobbs married the love of his life, Janet M. Moore. Together they have three sons; Wiley J. Dobbs (Yodan), Gregory L. Dobbs (Nidan) and Brian W. Dobbs (Shodan). For the Dobbs family, judo became a family affair. The Dobbs’ traveled to and participated in hundreds of judo tournaments in the Intermountain area and across the country. Sensei Dobbs’ grandsons; Dylan (8), Aaron (6) and Austin (6), began practicing judo with their “Papa Wes” in 2001.
In 1955 with the support of Twin Falls Recreation Department, Sensei Dobbs and Sensei Guy Matsuoka started a judo program in the Twin Falls High School gym that was attended by local junior and senior high school students and some interested police officers. Practice was moved to Jerome High School in 1958-59. Practice moved to a Twin Falls lumber yard in 1960 and in 1961 the Twin Falls Judo Club became a member of the Intermountain Yudanshakai. At that time the club moved to a classroom in the basement of Lincoln Elementary School in Twin Falls. Later the club moved to the local YFCA and then to its present location at the College of Southern Idaho.
In 1965, Sensei Dobbs wrote and began teaching the Law Enforcement Program at the College of Southern Idaho. This was the first college law enforcement program in the state. It quickly became one of the most respected programs in the nation. Sensei Dobbs, a life-long learner who strives for continual improvement in his personal and professional life, earned his M.Ed. from the University of Idaho in 1982. In 1990, this program was chosen “Idaho Secondary Education Program of the Year” by the Idaho Vocational Association and the American Vocational Association. Judo immediately became one of the required courses in this program. The class was open to all students and in 1966 the first female student (Betty Stewart) enrolled. College judo classes were held during the daytime and the judo club practices were held in the evenings. Students or club members were encouraged to participate in either or both of these practice times. Sensei Dobbs was able to facilitate the use of the CSI gymnasium for the annual Twin Falls Judo Tournament. In 1975, the Northwest Collegiate Championships were held at CSI. Over the years under Sensei Dobbs’ tutelage, several players from the Twin Falls-CSI Judo Club have participated at the national level. When the YFCA facility was lost, the Twin Falls Judo Club and the CSI Judo Club combined to create the Twin Falls-CSI Judo Club and all practices are now held in a beautiful dojo on the CSI campus. In the late 1970’s, Sensei Dobbs made an agreement with the Magic Valley Early Iron Club that the Twin Falls-CSI Judo Club would sponsor their annual car show. The money earned from this event has been a great help in financing judo in Twin Falls. Beginning in the late 1980’s, “Kollege For Kids” judo classes are now offered as an introductory course for judo students age 6 to 60. Under Sensei Dobbs’ and Sensei Matsuoka’s leadership, the Twin Falls-CSI Judo Club continues to improve and flourish. As instructors and advisors of judo, Sensei Dobbs and Sensei Matsuoka always refused to accept any pay.
Sensei Dobbs served on many committees of the Intermountain Yudanshakai. He was elected in 1974 and again in 1976 to two year terms as President of the Yudanshakai. As Sensei Alan Aoki aptly put it, “The first round-eye to be elected!” Sensei Dobbs earned a Class A Judo Teaching Certificate, and he refereed and judged at Collegiate, Junior and Senior Nationals.
In 1997, after attaining the position of Full Professor and Program Manager of Law Enforcement at the College of Southern Idaho, Sensei Dobbs retired. A grand retirement celebration marked his 50 years of service in the area of law enforcement. During this celebration he was recognized by Idaho Governor Phil Batt and by hundreds of appreciative law enforcement and judo students he helped through the years.
In addition to the techniques associated with the sport of judo, Sensei Wesley H. Dobbs has always effectively taught his judo students the etiquette, philosophy, history, kata and spirit associated with the sport. Sensei Dobbs has always believed that judo is a way of life. Certainly Sensei Dobbs’ students would all agree that their lives have been enhanced by learning the sport of judo and by knowing and working with him.