The David Dahmen Sensei KODOKAI Memorial Fund
Donation protected
In the early morning hours of Monday, May 11th, 2020, the North American Headquarters of Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu Kodokai lost one of its pioneer members. David Dahmen Sensei passed away at the premature age of 66 years old, after traveling a very long and deep path through the Japanese traditional and classical martial arts.
At the age of 16 years old, Dahmen Sensei began studying Aikido and Judo in Santa Barbara. Then a few years later in 1974, while a student at Cal Poly University in San Luis Obispo (California), Dahmen Sensei was first introduced to the ancient self-defense art of Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu Kodokai, under the instruction of Yonezawa Katsumi Sensei, a visiting instructor from Japan who was teaching at the nearby Coastal Judo Dojo. There he also met Kiyama Hayawo Sensei, the current Chief Instructor in North America, as well as other founding members of the Kodokai here in America. A year later Dave founded an Aikido Study Group at Cal Poly University, which later evolved into the "Cal Poly Daito-ryu Kodokai Club".
Dahmen Sensei studied the mysterious art of "aiki" very seriously, almost up until the point of his passing, traveling as an assistant instructor with Kiyama Shihan and even training directly in Japan. This pursuit of deeper knowledge and development represented one of the main goals in his life for a period of almost 50 years. Aside from being an inspiration to the rest of us, his unending generosity, humility and selfless nature earned him a special spot as a true friend in the arts for those he touched. He was always positive and willing to share, and spent what free time he had the last few years of his life traveling to the various West Coast schools to teach and bind us all closer together as an organization.
In the wake of his recent passing, many of us wished to send monetary support to the Dahmen family in hopes of helping them financially through this difficult time. The family, however, resisted accepting anything for themselves, and instead requested that any such donations friends or supporters would like to send be directed to a commemorative fund to promote the preservation of the Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu Kodokai. The family felt that Dave would have been happy to see the art he loved so much continue on to future generations, so that others can benefit from the rich education, cultural experiences, and lifelong friendships as he had. This memorial fundraiser has thus been established per their wishes.
The North American Headquarters of Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu Kodokai will be the sole recipient of any funds raised here, and all donations received will be used primarily for funding instructional opportunities in the art, both from national and international instructors. For those inclined to donate toward this truly worthy cause, please know that you have the deepest appreciation from our Kodokai members, both past and present. In fondest memory of our friend, Dave Dahmen Sensei...
At the age of 16 years old, Dahmen Sensei began studying Aikido and Judo in Santa Barbara. Then a few years later in 1974, while a student at Cal Poly University in San Luis Obispo (California), Dahmen Sensei was first introduced to the ancient self-defense art of Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu Kodokai, under the instruction of Yonezawa Katsumi Sensei, a visiting instructor from Japan who was teaching at the nearby Coastal Judo Dojo. There he also met Kiyama Hayawo Sensei, the current Chief Instructor in North America, as well as other founding members of the Kodokai here in America. A year later Dave founded an Aikido Study Group at Cal Poly University, which later evolved into the "Cal Poly Daito-ryu Kodokai Club".
Dahmen Sensei studied the mysterious art of "aiki" very seriously, almost up until the point of his passing, traveling as an assistant instructor with Kiyama Shihan and even training directly in Japan. This pursuit of deeper knowledge and development represented one of the main goals in his life for a period of almost 50 years. Aside from being an inspiration to the rest of us, his unending generosity, humility and selfless nature earned him a special spot as a true friend in the arts for those he touched. He was always positive and willing to share, and spent what free time he had the last few years of his life traveling to the various West Coast schools to teach and bind us all closer together as an organization.
In the wake of his recent passing, many of us wished to send monetary support to the Dahmen family in hopes of helping them financially through this difficult time. The family, however, resisted accepting anything for themselves, and instead requested that any such donations friends or supporters would like to send be directed to a commemorative fund to promote the preservation of the Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu Kodokai. The family felt that Dave would have been happy to see the art he loved so much continue on to future generations, so that others can benefit from the rich education, cultural experiences, and lifelong friendships as he had. This memorial fundraiser has thus been established per their wishes.
The North American Headquarters of Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu Kodokai will be the sole recipient of any funds raised here, and all donations received will be used primarily for funding instructional opportunities in the art, both from national and international instructors. For those inclined to donate toward this truly worthy cause, please know that you have the deepest appreciation from our Kodokai members, both past and present. In fondest memory of our friend, Dave Dahmen Sensei...
Organizer and beneficiary
Nathan Scott
Organizer
San Gabriel, CA
Donald Quintana
Beneficiary