Shihan smith passes away...

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[Randathamane]

I am sorry that I have such sad news for you all- But I feel that all of you should know.
This morning being the 24.8.06, shihan smith passed away. For me and all those who trained under him this is a blow. Sensei had been suffering illness for some time- his passing does still strikes as a shock.

My prayers and feelings go out to those who knew him personally and my sympathy to his family and friends.

[Ron Tisdale]

My condolences.

Best,
Ron

[wayneth]

My deepest condolences.

Wayne

[James Davis]

My sensei's sensei passed away a few years back, as well as an iaido sensei that was a friend of our dojo. Both of these events hurt, not only because we couldn't see them again, but because their knowledge was partially gone. I can partially identify with how you're feeling right now. I don't know how I will react when my sensei passes away.

I'm sorry that your teacher has passed on, but you know what your job is now, right? Start trainin' them kids, bro. Pass it on!

[fraisechamp]

http://www.renshinkan.co.uk/Instructors-Profile.asp?IID=1

Sadly Missed.

:ai: :ki: :do:

[crbateman]

Sincerest sympathies. Your best tribute to your Sensei would be to redouble your efforts to your training, and to the benefit of those around you.

[Aikiscott]

Deepest Sympathy to everyone at Ren Shin Kan, And the UKA. I had the great pleasure of training with Mr Smith last year, he was a truely great man.
He will be missed.

Scott
Central Coast Aikido

[Dazzler]

Deepest sympathy.

Ever since I started aikido Mr. Smiths name has been mentioned regularly as one of the greats of British Aikido.

I'm sure it will be a while before you read this Phil but my thoughts are with you.

Daren
National Aikido Federation

[Mark Freeman]

My condolences to Mr Smith's students, family and friends,

regards,

Mark

[Peter Seth]

Shihan Smith - A Gentleman and a great Aikido Ambassador - will be sadly missed.
Deepest Condolences to Bills Family and friends.

[Peter Brown]

Not only have we lost a great Sensei, but I have lost a true friend.
Shihan Smith was a father figure to many people and a great inspiration to all Aikidoka that new him.
He built the foundation for the UKA to go forward and grow.
His Aikido and memory will be with me forever.
I would like Mrs Smith and the family to know, that your extended Aikido family are with you at this sad time.....God Bless Sensei Smith.

[markwalsh]

A great gentle man:

sincere and polite
traditional and progressive
strong and kind

He was and continues to be, my model of what it is to be an aikido teacher and a person. Sadly missed.

Love to all those who knew him.
Mark

PS - If anyone has the picture of him receiving his MBE then please post it as I think he was fond of that one.

[Aiki x]

Top guy and a big loss

[Nick Simpson]

A terrible shame, I had the pleasure of training on a course where he taught a section a couple of years ago. Absolutely lovely man, they dont come any better. He punched me very gently on the cheek to show me an opening in my shihohnage and how to correct it, it's a lesson I've always remembered! I believe he had suffered from terminal cancer for the last decade or so, but felt that he wasnt ready to die, after doctors initially gave him months to live. An inspiration to us all. My condolences to his family, friends and students.

[ruthmc]

Very sad news indeed.

Mr Smith was a true gentleman and an inspirational teacher. The memory of him singing a beautiful solo in the bar at Summer School last year is one I cherish.

Many years ago Mr Smith taught me why it's important to practise suwari-waza. He taught me to always enjoy practising, and to train hard, by doing exactly that himself.

My thoughts are with Philip and his family, whose bravery and commitment to Aikido have been unwavering throughout Mr Smith's illness.

A huge loss to all of us, but our many memories of this great man keep his life and his Aikido flowing in our hearts and our practice.

Ruth

[Steve Mullen]

I never actually trained with Shihan Smith, but I think his passing highlights one of the sad things about today's Aikido, we have reached a time when all of the "wise old men" for want of a better phrase, are passing, with them goes the knowledge they have gained. The only hope we can have is that their students continue to do their work, and take up their path, leading it further on once they have left us, in that way we can continue and add to what we have been given by these great sensei.

My condolences to his family, friends and students

[philipsmith]

Thanks for all of your kind wishes.

I have published a short obituary on www.ukaonline.org (including a photo of his investiture Mark) and www.renshinkan.co.uk.

It is planned to hold a memorial service in October but I will confirm date etc. as soon as I can.

[philipsmith]

just to add to my last post.

The memorial service to celebrate Mr Smiths life will be held at Birmingham Cathedral on Monday 23rd October at 3.00pm.

Anyone who wishes to attend is most welcome.