Karate master comes to grips with careers

W. Dan Hausel is a Hall of Fame martial artist, geologist, prospector, gemologist, writer, teacher, public speaker and artist. The Gilbert 56-year-old likes to keep busy. He is certified in 18 different martial arts, although he primarily practices and teaches Shorin-Ryu, a style of karate, and Kobudo, the practice of ancient martial arts weapons.

He has been inducted into 13 martial arts Halls of Fame and is a 10th degree red belt, the highest rank in Okinawa karate.

“I enjoy developing new concepts and particularly teaching,” said Hausel, who recently moved from Laramie, Wyo.

Hausel is looking to open a school in the Valley.

He teaches traditional martial arts, which has no competition, just the skills to learn how to defend yourself.

Hausel taught martial arts for 29 years at the University of Wyoming.

Hausel first took up martial arts to defend himself.

He used to play guitar in a rock band and wanted to protect himself from people who might react negatively to his long hair.

He recently retired from the Wyoming Geological Survey as a research geologist.

He spent his days looking for diamonds and other gemstones.

His claim to fame is finding one of the largest iolite gemstone deposits in the world and mapping more than 650 square miles of geological terrain, he said.

“I enjoy finding new things,” Hausel said. “I just like finding the raw stones. It’s like treasure hunting.”

He met his girlfriend, Sharon Hall, on a field trip he was leading looking at the terrain to find gold.

Hall is a rock hound and went on several of his field trips before they spoke.

“He’s sensitive and a very caring individual,” Hall said.

“I love his sketches and I watch him practice his martial arts all the time,” she said.

Hausel also has a passion for pencil sketches.

He accidentally discovered he was good at it after a coworker suggested he try sketching maps for work in 1990.

He sketches detailed pieces on a variety of topics, from animals and castles to Einstein and scenery pictures.

His work has been used on greeting cards, many of which he still proudly shows, as well as book covers.

Hausel also enjoys writing.

He has published more than 500 papers and books, primarily on geology, martial arts and mining history.

His works include “Minerals and Rocks of Wyoming: A Guide for Collectors, Prospectors and Rock Hounds.”

He is currently working on a book about the geology of gemstone deposits throughout the world.

To view Dan Hausel’s sketches, visit www.dan hausel.com.

To learn more about the martial arts Hausel practices and their history, visit

www.seiyo-shorinryu.org.