80th anniversary Rob Stemmerik
Sep, 17th 2010
Today we celebrated the 80th anniversary of our most respected jodo-trainee Rob Stemmerik with a surprise party. Extraordinary, because there are not so many active jodo practitioners at his age. Rob is in good company with Nishioka Sensei and Georges Kraus from Switzerland. Rob is one of my most devoted jodo-trainees for 20 years and he doesn't miss a training without reason.
This Friday, as usual, Rob prepared to go to the training, this time half an hour earlier on my request, so we would have some time to work on a new kata in private. In reality we were waiting in the dojo. When he arrived at the dojo, he saw his wife Ilse, his family, friends, old colleagues, jodo-practitioners and the full board of the Shin-ShinBuKen dojo. It was a big surprise for him.
There were speeches from our President Mr. Jan Kallenbach, Mr. Robbie Teunissen (an old gymnastic student of Rob and of course also at age now!) and myself. Rob became a Member of Honour to the SSBK dojo. He also received the calligraphy (which was presented by Pascal Krieger to Rob during the last European gasshuku at Tata-Hungary), framed in glass from the Dutch Jo-members. And we toasted with champagne to the health of Rob.
Rob finished with a speech, in which he highlighted how special it is for him to practice budo and in particular jodo.
After the speeches there was time for Rob to join his family and friends, enjoying the snacks and drinks and have a look at the photo slide show.
The evening ended with the making of group pictures to preserve the good memories of this special event.
We wish Rob, his wife Ilse and his family good health and for Rob lots of joy in continuing his budo practice.
Fred Quant
Fédération Européenne de Jodo / European Jodo Federation