Richard started formal martial arts training at the age of 17, informal at age 11. Master Van Donk is the Founder and Director of the IBDA/American Bujinkan Dojos (Ninjutsu) and Bushindo Martial Arts University operating world wide in over 60 countries with its International Dojo Headquarters in Middletown, (Northern) California, U.S.A. His wife, Linda, a Shidoshi (10th dan) is the Assistant Director of Training for the American Bujinkan Dojos.

Richard is one of the highest ranking Bujinkan Ninjutsu Shidoshi (Instructors) outside of Japan (10th Dan in Ninjutsu / 15th dan in Budo Taijutsu from Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi) and an internationally acclaimed Eskrima Grandmaster (personal student and inheriting Grandmaster of the late DeCuerdas Grandmaster Gilbert Tenio). Also has been awarded blackbelt levels or above in Karate, Jujitsu, Tae Kwon Do, Muso Tenshin Ryu Iaijutsu (yondan), Aikido, and Enshin Ryu Iaido and BattoJutsu (from Grandmaster Kenshinsai Machida). In 1996 and in 1997 the World Head of Family Sokeship Council awarded Master Van Donk with its most prestigious award of Grandmaster of the Year for his contributions to martial arts. He has been inducted into many Master and Grandmaster councils.

Ninjutsu (Menkyo Kaiden)
Master Van Donk is a personal student of Ninjutsu Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi of Noda city, Japan and has traveled to train with him at least twice a year since 1985 when he received his (Nidan) 2nd degree Blackbelt and Shidoshi-ho (Junior teaching license) directly from Soke Hatsumi. At this time Soke Hatsumi also made him a personal student in a special ceremony at Shihan Ishizuka’s dojo.
In early 1987 Richard passed his 5th degree test in Japan in front of a panel of Japanese Shihan. At that time Richard was told he was only the 9th non-Japanese person to be awarded this rank in the art’s alomst 2,000 year history. Soke Hatsumi awarded Shihan Van Donk his 10th degree Blackbelt Menkyo license on Dec. 2, 1995 (Soke Hatsumi’s Birthday) and his 11th dan on Takamatsu’s Birthday March 2000. Soke Hatsumi awarded Richard the rank of Junidan** (12th Degree blackbelt) on March 28th, 2001. Soke Hatsumi awarded Richard the rank of Ju-sandan*** (13th Degree blackbelt) on December 2nd, 2002 (Soke Hatsumi’s Birthday), Soke Hatsumi awarded Richard the rank of Ju-Yondan**** (14th Degree blackbelt) on April 2nd, 2004 (Takamatsu Resurrection) and his Menkyo Kaiden Ju-Godan***** (15th Degree blackbelt) on Dec 2nd, 2004 (Hatsumi’s Birthday). Master Van Donk has been responsible for pioneering the current ranking structures used by many instructors throughout the Bujinkan. In 1991 Master Van Donk was awarded the Golden Dragon Medal from Soke Hatsumi for his pioneering efforts. Shihan Van Donk continues to travel the world training with Soke Hatsumi in Japan and at international events called Tai Kais.