Icho Ryu

John Spiers, an old friend from the early days of aikido in Seattle, passed away this last weekend. John was a great guy and will be missed by all who knew him through the years.

John was a student of Bernie's in those early days and was very helpful and supportive to me in my early years of training. Though life took us in different directions, John and I would always get together sporadically to have a beer or 3 and reminisce or talk about how to help Bernie through some of his difficulties in life. John held a 4dan in Icho ryu and always seemed to find a dojo someplace in his travels for work.

From all of us in Icho ryu who knew John, our thoughts and sympathy go out to his family and friends.

Found more photos, so will be scanning in over the next few days.