Late Sensei David Packer – Condolences from Kevin Christie Shihan

I have just received the very sad news of the passing of another member of our Aikido family. Sensei David Packer. Sensei Packers daughter informed me that David passed away peacefully today after a long fight against leukemia. Sensei Packer was my first instructor, and the first instructor to so many Aikidoka of the years. He was the reason I changed from Karate to Aikido in those early days, mainly because of his big personalty. He was a very senior member of the Aikido Fellowship of great Britain, and had his own very successful following at both club and association level at Colmers farm Aikido club for many year’s. On behalf of myself and all of us at NIA Aikido I would like to send my sincere condolences to all his family, his students, and all his friends from the world of Aikido. Especially Yolanda, Victoria, and Richard. Rest in peace🙏Sensei.

– Kevin Christie Shihan

Some early photos in black and white of Sensei David Packer at the old BAI on John Bright St., Birmingham, with members of the Eight in 1976. A group of young lads, which he helped teach, was created by Ralph Reynolds Shihan. Including myself, the late Donovan Waite Shihan, and Chris Mooney Shihan. Top picture from 2011 when Sensei Packer, together with his friend from the days of the Aikido Fellowship, Shihan Terry Bayliss, taught at Nia Aikido’s 20th Anniversary course at the National Indoor Arena, Birmingham. (Black and white photo: Sensei Packer centre, and bottom left in the second picture.)