Irvin Spencer Faust

OBITUARY OF IRVIN SPENCER FAUST Irvin was born on March 10, 1949 in Brooklyn, New York and transitioned on March 29, 2020 surrounded by his loving family in Albany, New York. He was the son of the late Henry Faust and Anna Issac-Faust. He is also predeceased by his loving stepmother Pearl Faust. Irvin went to Brooklyn public schools and after graduating, he went to the Air Force where he joined the Military Police. After leaving the military he received a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Long Island University where he met his wife of 46 years. After he received his degree, he worked for the Federal Deposit Insurance Company (FDIC) for years. He also worked for the United State Postal Service until he retired in 2005. This is when he began to primarily focus on building his brand. Sensei Faust loved martial arts and his experience and practice spanned over 40 years. He held ranks in both Tae Kwon Do Karate and in Kung Fu. However, Aikido was his ultimate martial art love. When he moved his young family from Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1985 to Albany to pursue his dream, he never looked back. His dynamic Aikido instructors were Sensei Luqman Hakeem of Morocco and Yamada Shihan of New York Aikikai. He perfected his technique and skill by attending seminars all over the country at the schools of high ranking Aikidoist. He always showed up as an empty vessel so that he could be filled with knowledge and experience that would enhance his life. Sensei Faust also traveled to Japan and South America to learn, train and teach. He was the guest instructor at many Dojos around the country and was highly respected by his family and peers. Sensei Faust was an ordained minister and diligently served at Living Word Tabernacle with his wife, Rev. Valerie Faust. He had a wonderful sense of humor and always started his speech with a few quotes to make the audience laugh. He loved to work with the young men at our church and had a special love for children. He showed his care and concern for them when he worked at various youth programs, pre-schools, and after school programs. He loved being a substitute teacher at Albany High School, working at PAL and teaching Aikido at RPI in Troy, New York. He was recognized by the NAACP and received an award for his work and achievements in the community. He received many other accolades and recognition for his unselfish service to help others become better human beings, but they are too numerous to mention here. Sensei was loved, respected and appreciated by his faithful and dedicated students at Albany Aikido. He will be sorely missed. He leaves to cherish his memory; his loving wife Rev. Valerie Faust, his five children, Tamika, Wan-tu, Marc, Irvin, Jr. (Courtney) and Rachel; His siblings, Stanley, Michael, and Dorothy; his Mother-in-law, Eleanor McCray; His sisters-in-law, Brenda, Andrea, Latonia and brother-in-law, Vincent; 16 grandchildren, 5 great grands and a host of relatives and friends who loved him.