Raymond Kressmann, my oldest student, and at 87 years, also my oldest senior student (completed the entire Form) passed to the “other place” on Friday, 3/27/20, at 2:45 p.m. Though his death was unrelated to the virus pandemic COVID19, it was related to his diabetes that almost resulted in the foot’s amputation. He was having trouble in recovery and last week suffered a fall that resulted in a concussion causing hospitalization. Related to the coronavirus, his family just got him released from hospital before new rules and regulations would have kept him there to die without any family members attending. He was able to be brought home to have them comfort him in his last hours.

It is always a sad experience to lose a student to the afterlife, particularly not knowing what may lie on the other side, and this is no exception. Raymond had been training with me for over 15 years in our Raleigh class. Garry Williams, Associate Teacher, was appointed teaching responsibilities there 5 years or so ago, and has been Raymond’s principle teacher, my role being reduced to 1 or 2 visits a month, mainly for senior corrections and sash ceremonies. Although Raymond did not join classes for martial art purposes, he became excited and ‘alive’ when we focused on Function through application of postures, and basic 2-person examination of them. His excitement at these times never ceased to surprise and please me! Garry noted that it was when we explored the inner construction of Form, and the martial Function of postures that Raymond brought his sharp mind and intellect to bear on the understanding of deeper levels to the Art of Taijiquan.

Raymond outranked me in age, but at the same time our experiences were of a time closer together than the majority of students, and it bonded us in a way that I miss already. He was an Internationalist, speaking French, visiting family and friends in France annually, married a French woman, Anne, having children together, and pursuing the wine business on both continents. A man of great interests. The last communication I had from him was just a week or so ago. In replying to something I posted on Facebook, he said, and I paraphrase, “I’ve heard a lot of your stories over the years, and y’know what,...I’d listen to them all again!” Of course, anyone that wants to revisit my stories is just a super good guy!! I wish I could have retold a few to you Raymond, or even a few you never heard before! That will be first thing on agenda when we meet again...