International Goju Ryu Karate Federation

Condolence Messages from IOGKF members

On behalf of Denise and myself, our sincerest condolences to a long standing friend and Karate colleague. I can still see and hear him singing ‘Flower of Scotland’ in my house in 1985 and at many IOGKF events in the past.

Bakkies and Denise Laubscher
IOGKF Technical Advisor
IOGKF South Africa Chief Instructor

Dear Lambert Family,

私はジョン先生が亡くなったことを聞いてとても悲しく思います。ジョン先生がすばらしい人だと東恩納先生から聞いていました。そして東恩納道場の生徒達もジョン先生の回復を心から祈っていました。とても残念です。

心よりご冥福をお祈りいたします。

I was very sad to hear of the passing of John Lambert Sensei. Higaonna Sensei told me how much of a wonderful person John Sensei was. All the student’s of Higaonna Dojo prayed from the bottom of the heart’s for the recovery of John Sensei.

I pray his soul may rest in peace.

Katsuya Yamashiro

IOGKF Chairman

IOGKF Japan/Okinawa Chief Instructor

It was with great sorrow we heard the news of John’s death. All the instructors and students of EGKA send their sincere condolences to John’s family.

Many of our senior instructors have known John for over 30 years, he always had a few words of encouragement during gasshuku training and I am sure we will all miss his singing at the sayonara party.

We have lost not only an excellent instructor but a true friend.

Ernie Molyneux

Sensei John Lambert was a great friend, karate-ka, and leader. His contributions to IOGKF international as well as his home country will live beyond his life. His warmth, friendliness and dedication will be missed tremendously.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.

May he rest in peace.

Tetsuji Nakamura
IOGKF Vice Chief Instructor
IOGKF Administrative Director
IOGKF Canada Chief Instructor

It is indeed with great sadness to know that Sensei John Lambert has passed away.
I remember him with fondness during the many Gasshukku's we both attended. His dedication to his training and his finely tuned sense of humour will always be with me.
My heartfelt condolences to his family & students.

Sincerely
Pervez B Mistry
Chief Instructor IOGKF India.

John was a friend. He was a very good singer and we had a common custom. I already was happy to meet him and we have had some good time in and out the training. He will miss me.

Sincere condolences to the Lambert family, these friends and the Scottish karate group.

Bernard COUSIN
IOGKF France Chief Instructor

I was deeply saddened to hear about the death of John Lambert

I met John in 1979 in Pool England, and since then we been training in many Gasshukus around the world. We had very good moments

I want to express my sincere condolence to the Lambert family

May you rest in peace.

Jorge Monteiro
IOGKF Portugal Chief Instructor

Dear Lambert Family,

It is with great sadness that we have learnt of your irreparable loss and the passing of Sensei John.

Our thoughts are with you.

I.O.G.K.F. Israel and Norma Pantanowitz.

Dear Lambert family and friends,

I would like to express my condolences on behalf of myself, my wife Mieke and all the Belgian IOGKF members. We lost a good karateka but also a good friend. We loved talking with him, he knew how to put a smile on our face and we will cherish these memories. We know his family and all his friends will miss him dearly but he will never be forgotten.

Thank you Sensei John for being a friend.

Patrick Curinckx
IOGKF Belgium Chief Instructor

My sincere condolences to Sandra and the rest of John's family for their loss and my thoughts have been with them today at this very difficult time. I am very sad to hear of this news and I will miss John's wonderful sunny smiles and hearty welcomes when we have seen each other at gasshukus. I know that many an impromptu evening's entertainment or sayonara party has not been complete without a rendition of 'Flower of Scotland' from John! Although we may have lost another member of the IOGKF family who has been part of the foundation of the past, I will ensure that all my students always remember those who have gone before us in the future. May he rest in peace, with love from Linda xx

Linda Marchant
EGKA

I would like to express my deep sadness receiving the new that Sensei John passed away.

I remember Sensei John warm friendship, his humility and his deep dedication to IOGKF and I was missing him because in the last years I did not meet him in the Gasshukus.

I remember him and his kind wife enjoying so much his stay in Italy during our European Gasshuku in 2001 and I was really hoping that he could again enjoy Italy soon.

Every time we lose a great teacher like Sensei John in IOGKF we may stay close together and promise again and again to protect for the future the wonderful dream that is IOGKF family that gave to all of us the precious occasion to meet such wonderful people in our life.

I wish to his wife and all his family to find the strength to face this terrible moments, and I am sure that they will be supported by the strength that Sensei John have had during all his life.

I will pray for you.

Paolo Taigo Spongia
IOGKF Italy Chief Instructor

On behalf of IOGKF Austria I would like to extend our sincere condolences to the Lambert family.

May you have the strength to aid you through these difficult times and the will to look forward, knowing that John will never be far away.

Having had the pleasure of knowing John personally, having trained and socialised with him, I also feel a loss and an empty space in my heart.

He will be sadly missed, but his memory will remain with us for ever!

Raoul Vogel

IOGKF Austria Chief Instructor

Condolences

I am saddened by the painful news I received this morning. I have been praying that John would get another chance, to have another round in life. Now that is not the case, I hope at least his final moment was a relief of the tough struggle he went through. I have always enjoyed his presence as a kind, warmhearted, passionate and dedicated man. Most of all I remember his ongoing dedication to karate training and his passionate singing at the Okinawa Karaoke bar, with ‘English speakers’ from everywhere. I want to thank him for the times we shared and I hope his closest family and friends will be blessed with healthy and peaceful times.

Warm regards,

Sydney Leijenhorst
IOGKF Netherlands Chief Instructor

On behalf of IOGKF Australia, our deepest condolences to Sensei John’s family at this difficult time. Sensei John was extremely dedicated to karate and was an inspiration to those who were fortunate enough to have trained with him. Sensei John will be sadly missed by everyone, his legacy will live on.

Paul Parlett Secretary
IOGKF Australia.

Condolence Message from IOGKF Dojo Slovakia
The dedication and hard work of Sensei John Lambert has spread beyond the
borders of his home country. His tremendous effort was inspiration not
only for his direct students, but also for people that met him only once
or twice. His passing away is a great loss not only for his family, but
also for the family of IOGKF.

My deepest condolences to the family. Our thoughts are with you in these
difficult times.

Sensei John Lambert, may you rest in peace

Igor Vakos
IOGKF Dojo Slovakia

We would like to expresse our sincere condolences on the recent passing of Sensei

John Lambert. He will surely miss to all his friends, family and IOGKF members. Our thoughts are with John`s family and friends at this difficult time.

May he rest in peace.

Marian Nemecek

Chief Instructor, IOGKF Slovakia

on behalf of all Slovak members

QUEREMOS EXPRESAR DESDE EL PERU, NUESTRO MAS PROFUNDO PESAR POR EL FALLECIMIENTO DEL SENSEI JOHN LAMBERT Y ENVIAR NUESTRAS CONDOLENCIAS PARA LA FAMILIA Y A LOS MIEMBROS DE LA IOGKF-ESCOCIA

SINCERAMENTE,

VICTOR DE LA ROSA
CHIEF INSTRUCTOR
IOGKF-PERU

Commiserations, a very sad day.

John was a great instructor and had a wonderful zest for life. He will be missed, not least for his singing.

Thoughts to you and the family.

Regards

Simon Beaumont
IOGKF Australia

Please accept on behalf of myself and my students our condolences over the loss of Sensei John Lambert, a man who I wish I had had opportunity to meet personally but undoubtedly his work and personality will long be remembered.

Adam Litwiński

IOGKF Poland

Our thoughts are with Sandra, Iain, Pauline and family at this sad time.

From Frank and Cathie Sargent, Frank jnr. and Tommy.

Seeing into darkness is clarity.

Knowing how to yield is strength.

Use your own light

and return to the source of light.

This is called practising eternity.

Frank Sargent - Scotland

It was with great sadness that I learned of Sensei John's passing today. I did not have the opportunity to train under him, however his resilience and fortitude in the face of his illness speaks volumes about his character, when we met he was the most positive person to be around and I'll always remember him for that. Scottish Goju Ryu is lessened by your passing Sensei, but we will always remember you and your qualities.

Iain Sneddon - SGKA.

I was very saddened and shocked to hear the news this morning

that Sensei John had passed away.

John was a friend and always a good training partner.

i have known john for close to 30 years and i will miss him.

By deepest condolences to his family.

Terence Read

EGKA - England

Having trained with Sensei John on numerous occasions I was saddened to learn of his passing today.
I will always remember him for positive outlook and the great stories he used to tell in classes of training in times gone by.
Tonight Sensei Callum dedicated his class to Sensei's memory and we all gave it our maximum effort.
I hope that he heard the kiai from wherever he is watching over us.

Rest in peace Sensei.

Steve Cowan
IOGKF Scotland

Learn the death of John Lambert is very sad for me and the Martial Arts' community. I couldn't know him, but I would like having been able.
My condolences for the John Lambert's family and their friends. Me and the IOGKF's members are with you in your grief.

Alexis M. Cornet
IOGKF-Spain

I wanted to send my condolences to the Lambert Family on the passing of Sensei John Lambert. I am sorry to hear about your loss, but I am also thankful that Sensei Lambert got to spend as must time with his family as he did. Please celebrate his life and be thankful for all the moments you spent with Sensei. I will be praying for you and your family.

Sincerely,
Laura Tolliver
IOGKF USA

Sensei John Lambert was a source of comfort and friendship to myself and a number of Aussies 10 years ago when we lost our Instructor and his brother Sensei David Lambert. In the past 10 years I have spent a number of times with Sensei John which will remain with me for life not least in 2006 when he hosted myself and Paul Parlett at his house in Fife for a number of days. Apart from his Karate he was known for his wonderful singing voice and as we found out over those days spent with him in his beloved Scotland his love of cooking. His loss is tragic and my sincere condolences go to Sandra and their children Iain and Pauline along with his many students who will also feel his loss deeply. As I said when his brother passed we can seek comfort in knowing that his spirit and love for Karate will go on through his students and I have a wonderful vision of Both Sensei John and David Lambert reunited somewhere looking over us all.

Once again my sincerest condolences and prayers to his family.

Gavin Hill and Family

IOGKF Australia

Firstly i would like to pass on my condolences to Sensei Johns family, Sandra, Pauline and Iain and thank them for everything they have done for me. The courage they have shown over the past two years has been amazing and I am proud to call them my friends.

I had the honor of training with Sensei John Lambert for 18 years. Sensei John was not only my Sensei but also my friend. I remember many funny stories and things that happened during classes, gradings and Gasshukus.

Sensei John was a great man. He pushed you to your limits. He was selfless, fun, generous, and one of the best Karate instructors i have ever trained with. I wish to express my thanks to him for teaching me what he knew and being there for me when i needed him. He was my inspiration, my role model and he will always be with me.

Gary Adams
SGKA Secretary

It is with a heavy heart that I write this message , sensei john Lambert was my instructor for last twenty six years throughout my GoJu Ryu training .He was an inspiration to me not only in karate but also in life ,I will never forget his kindness towards me and my family also the great inner strength he showed throughout his long fight with cancer always thinking of others and how they would cope in his absence.
I like so many others will miss you sensei you were one of my dearest friends.
I would like to pass on my sincerest condolences to Sandra, Pauline and Ian please take comfort from knowing that he was greatly admired and will be sadly missed in the I,O,G,K,F Always remembered. our thoughts are with you . Rest in peace john.

Kenny Morrison S.G.K.A.

Sensei John Lambert was a leader, a teacher, a hard worker and a friend...

He always led and taught by example, developing his spirit, discipline
and work ethics within all of those he worked with and taught.

One look and he could silence a class, where as his smile or a joke
could light up the room.... having been on the receiving end of both
many times, you learn how far is too far..

He will be sadly missed by people from all walks of life, but will
never be forgotten.

Sensei John Rest In Peace, your legacy and spirit will continue to
live within all your students, friends and family.

Stevie Biggar
SGKA

I'd just like to say, how deeply saddened I was to hear the passing of John. I began my training when I was eight, and I believe, that through the teachings of Sensei John, that i am the person i am now, because of him. I really liked John, He was a helluva guy, and his stories and words have always stuck with me. Mine, and the heart of many of His other students from FIPRE no doubt, go out to you during this time.

My Deepest Sympathies ~

C. Russell

We are in deep mourning to hear about sensei John lambert's sudden demise it is a grievous loss for all of us. We are aware of his contributions to the martial arts. We had the greatest respect for his .
Please ,pass on our sincere condolences to all the members of his family.
We'll pray for his soul. May Peace and Blessing of God be upon you.
With warmest regards.

Sensei Tarverdi Allahverdiyev on behalf Goju-ryu Okinawa Karate-Do and Kobudo types Federation of Azerbaijan

It is with great sadness that I hear of the passing of a great Karateka.

I started training with Sensei Lambert in the early days of Goju Ryu in Scotland in 1979.

He was my main driving force in reaching Shodan and Nidan and svery supportive when I opened my own Dojo.

I will always remember Sensei for his knowledge and how he made Goju Ryu in Scotland come alive.

He was our Chief Instructor and always maintained that stature and he earned the greatest of respect from all of his students.
My thought's are with his family at this difficult time.

Rest in peace Sensei.

Jim Forbes

Burntisland

Scotland

I would like to express my deepest condolences on your loss.
May he rest in peace.

Sincerely:

ROBERTO ZAPATA
IOGKF COLOMBIA

On behalf of the students of IOGKF Iceland we would like to offer our
deepest condolences to the Lambert family. It is very sad hat sensei
John Lambert has passed away at such a young age. We will remember
him through our devotion to training Goju Ryu. He was a good man and
he will be missed.

Gretar Halldorsson
Olafur Hreinsson
Reinhard Reinhardsson

"Please, send my deepest condolences to Sensei John Lambert family and IOGKF Scotland. He was certainly a good and a kind man and a devoted karateka, the same as his brother David was. Fortunately, I had the luck to meet them and learn from them at different gasshukus through many years. A great loss for the IOGKF family, but they will always be source of inspiration for all of us.
Gustavo Tata
IOGKF Argentina Chief Instructor"

It was with grate sadness the news of John´s decease reaches me.

He was my friend and my thought goes with his nearest.

Björn Jonzon

I badly stuned after hearing an unpleasant news regarding passing away of sensei John Lambert on last week.

I would like to extend my heartfelt condolence to untimely demise of Sensei John Lambert. It is an irreparable lost for our Karate movement in Scotland pray for eternal peace of departed soul and resides on heaven of Sensei John and power to bear this sorrowed moment for all the bereaved family.

Sowymvu Raj Dangol
Secretary General
Nepal National Martial Art Games Committee
National Sports Council
Kathmandu,Nepal

What can I say during such a sad time. I was John's friend for 37 years and was privileged to travel with him to many Gasshuku's. He was a well respected and knowledgeable Karate-Ka who embodied the discipline and philosophy of Goju-Ryu.
I am so sorry for your loss, for our loss, and the void now left within the IOGKF. I have also been thinking a lot recently about my sorely missed friend David, and know that the brothers have achieved 'Gokui', perfection and eternal peace.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Jim Flannigan
Scotland

I first met Sensei John in Okinawa in 1981 where he and his late brother Dave caught up after many years. It was a very moving time for them and for us all.

My thoughts are with John’s family at this time.

Our Goju Ryu family has lost another very humble man.

John Marrable
New Zealand

It was with great sadness that I attended our Chief Instructors funeral. There was not enough space within the crematorium and half the assembled mourners stood outside, this just shows the great influence and respect for Sensei John from the Goju-Ryu and martial arts community in Scotland. Sensei will be greatly missed by all his students in Scotland, I hope Sensei’s family gains great comfort from knowing he was held in such high regard.

Sensei John will be remembered for his strong fighting spirit which was always present during any training session, As I remember after receiving a strong crescent kick to the chest and thinking what big feet he had for a shorter man, after I had recovered and re-gained my feet! He always displayed the same fighting spirit and courage in his battle against his illness never willing to admit defeat or give up.

I would like to offer my deepest condolences to Sensei John's family, Sandra, Pauline and Iain, whose courage and dignity at this difficult time is amazing.

Callum Dick

SGKA

I have been lucky enough to boast that I was taught by Sensei Jim Flannigan from when I was aged 6 until 16. Unlucky for Sensei John he took over from there until I was 21. He guided me through my teen years into adulthood. He was more than just my Sensei. He was my mentor and a dear friend who I will miss so much. Although at times I didn't appreciate it and thought he was lecturing me, I knew he only had my best interests at heart. Even when I stopped training a few years ago, he and Sandra continued to be close friends and I am so grateful for everything he has done from teaching my husband to cook a good steak to filming our wedding and that's just to name two things. The list is endless. No words can express what a loss he is. I feel privileged that I was able to spend some time with him in his last days of fighting this cruel illness and was able to tell him what he meant to me. He remained so strong throughout, as did Sandra, Pauline and Iain which I find amazing. You are in my thoughts every day and I will never forget the impact John has had on my life.

Lots of Love

Laura Campbell Brooks

Scotland

Sensei John is gone and IOGKF has lost a great personality. I think we all will be missing Sensei Johns warmth, his interest in people, his loving nature and - of course - his singing ;o)

I send my thoughts to Sensei Johns family.

I will remember Sensei John with fondness! I think that is also how he would like to be remembered, and I'll shout out my kiai's for John at the upcoming European gasshuku ;o)

Torben Svendsen
Denmark

My deepest condolences to the whole Lambert family in Australia and Scotland. As far back as I can remember both Sensei John Lambert and his brother Sensei David Lambert carried a great deal of positive energy about them and always created a great atmosphere for not just training karate, but becoming friends. Sensei John's enthusiasm for karate and for life is what made him such a successful Karate Sensei in Scotland and the world over. I still remember the 1991 International gashukku in Okinawa with Sensei John. I busted my knee up pretty bad there as a kid, and Sensei John went out of his way to help me patch it up and stop the bleeding, and it's something that I'll never forget. Sensei John's memory will live on inside everyone one of us, and I'm sure that he is up there right now training in the big dojo in the sky with his brother Sensei David. May he rest/train in peace.

Eric Higaonna

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