In Memory of Bob Gibbon Sensei
This page will be updated regularly with sentiments
from around the world. Last updated on 28 June 2003
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Dear
friends
One of the greatest leaders of Aikido Kenkyu Kai has passed away. Bob Gibbon, aged
45, has died in his sleep probably
on Friday 7 June, 2002.
He is irreplaceable and his death has left a big hole in our lives.
Yours,
Stewart Letford
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Bob Gibbon was a founding member of AKI in the 1980's, he established dojos
in Newcastle, Canberra and Brisbane, made many trips to Japan, and was a leader
in developing Aikido Kenkyu Kai in Australia.
After founding Newcastle dojo in the late 1970's, Bob moved to Canberra where
he founded Erindale dojo and developed Turner dojo after Stewart Letford moved
to the Gold Coast. In 1995 Bob moved from Canberra to Brisbane and followed a path of Aikido, Kyudo, Karate,
and Zen. Bob recently received his 5th Dan in Aikido.
He led a remarkable budo life, fusing many concepts and always challenging
those around him to look for more in their daily training experience. He has touched
many and was loved by all who strived for genuine understanding. He will be
sorely missed.
Just
understand that birth-and-death is itself nirvana. There is nothing such as
birth and death to be avoided; there is nothing such as nirvana to be sought.
Only when you realize this are you free from birth and death.
Dogen, "Moon in a Dewdrop"
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FUNERAL & AIKIDO TRIBUTE
Bob's funeral was held on Saturday, 22nd of June 2002,
St Peters Church, William Street, Maitland NSW
Stewart Letford Sensei gave an eulogy at the funeral and
praised Bob's generosity and love toward others. He stated how he felt Bob
had never been happier and more centred or enlightened than in the few
months before his death. Peter Dixon (Bob's brother-in-law) gave a précis of Bob's
work and academic achievements: Bob was an Human Relations officer with the
Australian Taxation Office and was
studying for his second Masters course at the
time of his death.
It was extremely sad when a selection of Australian Aikidoka
carried Bob's coffin out to the waiting hearse and we all said goodbye to
his body. Bob's family have requested tributes be in the form of a donation to the National Heart
Foundation: cheques made out to the foundation can still be sent in an envelope marked "in honour of
Bob Gibbon".
A memorial aikido tribute was held at Broadmeadows PCYC
in Newcastle
later that afternoon. Newcastle members set up a beautiful shrine with flowers,
a large bowl of water with five tealight candles in it, and pictures of Bob.
Attending members also placed their own pictures and memorabilia on the
shrine.
Each dojo/region was asked to conduct a 15 minute dedication
to Bob, which included:
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Dave Dempsey from Adelaide reminded us of Bob's sayings
and (with help from Pip Cody of the Melbourne group) Bob's many wonderful
training methods;
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Newcastle members undertook a demonstration and
remembered Bob for all the times he travelled to Newcastle from Canberra
and Brisbane to help them;
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Steve Seymour and Sydney members undertook an aikido
demonstration, and then Steve discussed the depth of history that Bob
and he shared;
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Steve Nugent read out a poem to
Bob;
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Chris Guthrie from Japan gave a speech on Bob's kindness
in introducing him to AKI, followed by a short demonstration;
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The Canberra Region members did a demonstration and
remembered Bob's influence on AKI's aikido;
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Bruce Lowes read out some messages from overseas,
including one from Y. Takeda Shihan;
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Nigel Carruthers-Taylor did a meditation and Ikebana in remembrance
of Bob's "left-field" training;
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Mike Dunne got everyone involved in a group
visualisation meditation dedicated to Bob;
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Japanese representatives undertook a demonstration and
read out messages from Japan, imploring Australian members to keep the
connection with Shonan Aikido Renmei strong;
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The Gold Coast group undertook an aikido demonstration,
and Perry Lugg showed the strong irimi movements that Bob had been
exploring prior to his death. Perry also went on to say how important it
was to tell people how you feel about them before it was too late;
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Numata Hideo Sensei gave an iaido and aikido
demonstration, and expressed his sadness in Bob's passing.
Finally, all members filed passed Bob's shrine, bowed to his
soul, and said their final goodbyes. It was a very sad but touching and
special event.
Regards, Nigel Carruthers-Taylor
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In Memoriam -
Sentiments from around the world
(In no particular order)
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Tribute from Bob's work, the
Australian Taxation Office
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To all teachers and members of AKI,
It has been just over a week since we said farewell at the funeral and
tribute of Robert Gibbon (Bob). My heart was broken as were the hearts of many
of us.
I just wanted to say to you all how proud I am to be part of such a wonderful
group of people. Often we don't say much to one another because our training
runs deep and communicates at a very sincere level. The demonstrations and
tributes to Bob were wonderful and straight from the heart and hara. So many
communicated their feelings from around the world. So many came from Japan and
all parts of Australia to show how Bob had personally touched their lives
through his teaching and warmth of his friendship.
We may only be a small group of people as an organisation but I feel we are
closer and stronger for it. It was demonstrated so clearly at Bob's tribute how
important it is for us to stay together with one heart mind and spirit. Living
apart does not make it easy but the pure spirit of ki binds us never the less.
We give a special thank you for our friends and visitors from Japan. All the
letters and communications from the sempei, friends of Bob and the wonderful
letter from Takeda Sensei. The personal attendance of Miyuki San and Nakamura
San from Yasuyuki Suzuki Sensei's dojo and Takahashi Sensei to keep my heart
strong when I was feeling so weak. The visit of our old friend Chris Guthrie
representing Higashitotsuka Dojo, the beautiful demonstration by Numata Sensei
who came all the way from Japan to calm and relax our emotional pain.
I know Bob's spirit is with you all and thanking you for the way you all
played a part in his rich and creative life. Bob's last words to me were,
"this too will pass" but his spirit and the spirit of you all will
continue. It is this spirit that binds us together.
Bob's parents and family thank you for the attendance at his funeral and
tribute. They would also like to thank you for the flowers and many kind,
healing words from around the world.
I also thank you on Bob's behalf for being the people you are and for being
part of this special group of individuals. From Japan to the U.S.A and Canada to
Australia you have showed the true spirit of Aiki.
Yours Stewart
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Dear Bob,
From the first stage of Aikido cultivation in Australia, you enlightened
people's mind not just in Aikido practice but whole life for them, you were a
very natural instructor who is enjoying it without noticing what you are doing.
You were just reflecting your way of life to your surroundings like a big
light house without asking any return, just giving, giving, giving....
Though, you suddenly departed to the next world, I can heartfully catch your
message that you are showing the next stage for Aikido friends of Australia,
"Practice, practice, practice".
You and your other friend's great enthusiasms and endeavour of many years has
grown many branches, new seeds and flowers making new world, but, I feel that
you are re-noticing the deepest but simple instruction of
Ueshiba Morihei sensei's saying; "All is one family in this universe, even
enemies".
Many strifes may disappear if your embraceful spirit permeates all around the
world. Please watch from your new stage and think of us.
See you again! Yoshinobu Takeda [Kamakura, Japan]
p.s. Through almost 20 years relationship with us, you were very embraceful
for cultural exchange activities, variation of Aikido philosophy. Do you
remember the K-Day event in Gold coast theatre? You were wonderful speaker to
the audience (1,200 person) but took much of my time of Aikido demonstration
because you thought longer speech doesn't harm precise time schedule.
Unfortunately, event was organised by very precise promoter of Japan.
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Eulogy For Robert Gibbon Sensei, by Stewart
Letford
The Circle
Before speaking about Robert or Bob as he was called by his many friends. On
behalf of all Robert's friends here and overseas, I would like to express our
great sorrow for Robert's parents, sister & family. For Robert's parents,
his passing has left a huge hole in their lives. Robert loved his parents and
family very much and often spoke to me of wanting to care and provide for them.
I feel sure everyone who knew Robert have their heart's open for his family. His
mother Gwen, father Bob and sister Ruth and to all his family members, we feel
deep sympathy for the loss of such a loving person.
Bob's life became a completed circle. Although he passed away at a young age
he had found a quiet and calm wisdom. He spoke to me about his acceptance of
things and feeling the true value of being in the moment aware of life's
richness, the mind being free of the regrets of the past and fears of the
future. It seemed he had reached an acceptance of the circle of life with its
seeming changes and uncertainties and had completed the circle with one smooth
brush stroke.
I met Bob when he was eighteen or nineteen years old at Canberra University
and over the years of our long and deep friendship, I saw Bob change as he grew
in his wisdom. He was ten years younger than I and our relationship began with
me being his confidant and advisor. In recent years those roles where reversed
with Bob guiding me through my problems. He always knew what to say and what to
do to help me. He helped many others in this way.
From the sometimes confused and angry young man of nineteen he had completely
changed to a calm and completely understanding man who never felt anger or fear.
He saw life's big picture all around him.
In another more ancient time he could have become a priest or spiritual
leader. From the first day I met him he was obviously searching for a spiritual
way through his life's circle and was attracted to others with similar paths in
their lives.
He had been through marriage, divorce, and other relationships that fell
apart. He never felt anger or regret at these unhappy endings and always cared
for those who had been with him and touched his life. He was a very powerful man
to train with in aikido, a martial art Bob reached great heights in. He never
used his power to hurt anyone. His great power was a gentle one and was the
source of his great creativity in the art of aikido. He studied Zen meditation,
Kyudo and prayed. His mind and heart were spiritually open in all directions.
This gave him his great sense of compassion, always holding out his helping hand
to those in need. In this way Bob touched the lives of all those here and many
others around the world.
He was an educated and hardworking person constantly searching for new ways
to help people within his work. For Bob, his work was not just a job but a
vocation.
He was the first in Australia that realised that the art of Aikido did not
lay in techniques but came from a formless freedom within. At first I didn't
understand what he was doing but later his influence was the vital spark that
transformed my own understanding. This spark is still burning and is bringing a
new realization to many in his group. His creativity has brought a new,
refreshing worldview to his friends and students.
Robert Gibbon wasn't a man that you could just like, he was a person you
loved. Now it's a great shock to us because we always expected Robert Gibbon to
be there, solid as a rock. We often never showed him how we felt and took this
special person for granted. Now that his circle is completed he has moved on and
we realise that we loved this person. He was not just a friend, his circle of
life surrounded us all and his circle was full of love and compassion.
A day or two before Bob's passing I telephoned him for help with some of my
problems. His answer to my questions was as simple and complete as his circle.
He simply said, "What ever happens this too will pass." This was the
last time I spoke to Bob and I feel his answer for me is in someway an answer
for all of us.
The circle is complete.
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