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AikiWeb System 05-12-2011 03:34 PM

Jeff Fox passes on
 
Posted 2011-05-12 15:31:15 by Janet Rosen


A mutual friend has informed me today that Jeff Fox died last week of a massive heart attack caused by congestive heart failure. It has been many years since he stopped teaching and training, but we thought that former students and peers of his in Iowa and Berkeley might wish to know.

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Diana Frese 05-12-2011 05:10 PM

Re: Jeff Fox passes on
 
Our condolences to family, friends, students and former training partners. It looks as if I am the first to post, but I guess that's okay, since it was just last night or the night before that my husband and I were sitting in the den and I mentioned Jeff, from the first Japan tour organized by Yamada Sensei, there were about 49 of us .... Jeff enlivened the tour and was an all around great person to have around, and of course his Aikido was good too.... We're sad that he passed on, but good to know that he taught and trained for years after that first tour....

Janet Rosen 05-13-2011 11:46 AM

Re: Jeff Fox passes on
 
I was Jeff's student from the start of 1996 through half of 1997. I walked into his class with no real idea of what aikido was as distinct from any other martial art. He was incredibly patient with this older, awkward beginner, yet never condescending. When it was clear I was terrified to forward roll, he didn't bat an eyelash but started me on suwariwaza shomenuchi ikkyo and katatetori sumiotoshi and let me approach rolling in my own time. His approach casually assumed that I would succeed, and this was so consistent a message that I seemed to internalize it: despite having no innate talent and having to work hard every step of the way, it never occurred to me to stop showing up. It would have been incredibly easy to blow me off as not worth the effort, or to let a stray comment or even gesture shatter my self-confidence.

Jeff deserves full credit for starting me on the path that has so enriched my life. I hope the years were kind to him and his passing swift and merciful.


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