In Memory of Sensei Sam Palmer

Renshi Palmer's business card circa 1974

NOTE: I solicit your assistance in completing this page. If you have any pictures, film clips, publications, etc. which deal with Renshi Palmer I would very much like to post them here.
In the event you have only hardcopy pictures or 8mm film clips you wish to share, I will guarantee postage both ways (from and to you).
Thank you!
Webmaster - Dr. Michael Cox

Background

I began my karate training with Renshi Sam Palmer in 1972 in Satellite Beach, Florida. Palmer Sensei had just retired from the U.S. Air Force at neighboring Patrick Air Force Base.

Before being assigned to Patrick AFB, Palmer Renshi had been stationed in Wichita Falls, Texas (Sheppard AFB) where he had also established a dojo.

When I began my training with him he was a Yon-Dan (4th Degree) and, to my understanding, the highest ranking Westerner in Matsubayashi-Ryu karate-do at the time. In 1974 (I'm not totally sure about the date) he was promoted to Go-Dan (5th Degree) by the late Ueshiro Sensei in New York.

Palmer Renshi had several children who trained as well.

I lost contact with Palmer Renshi when I joined the Air Force and transferred to Torri Station (Kadena Air Base) Okinawa.

When I returned to the United States in 1979 I discovered Palmer Renshi had traveled to New York to take part in a black belt promotion board. After having participated in grading and performing demos Palmer Renshi suffered a sudden death cardiac event and collapsed while performing Pinan Sandan. In spite of resuscitation efforts he did not survive. This was the way Palmer Renshi would have like to have left this world, doing what he loved.

This photo was taken during Ueshiro Hanshi's visit to Satellite Beach in April of 1974
Left to Right:
Terry Maccarrone, Joyce Santamaria, Sam Palmer, Ansei Ueshiro, Mike Hixon, & John Goldick (Thanks Doug!)

The following photos are courtesy of Sensei Bud Shafer, 8th Dan, Plantation, Fl. I believe they are from around 1967. The photos were taken in St. Louis.

Sensei Sam Palmer & Sensei Bud Shafer training in Ko-Budo.

Sensei Sam Palmer & Sensei Bud Shafer training in Ko-Budo.

Sensei Sam Palmer & Sensei Bud Shafer training in Ko-Budo.

Sensei Sam Palmer (2nd from left) with two of his early students and Sensei Bud Shafer (right end) with two of his early students stand for a photo. (Note: All four photos [above] donated by Sensei Shafer. THANKS!)

Sensei Palmer's form being adjusted by Hanshi Nagamine during an tour of the USA (Another photo donated by a viewer of this site. THANKS!)

Renshi Palmer after winning kobudo competition in 1974 (Note: picture retouched)

Sensei Joseph Schacht demonstrating nunchaku's under the watchful eye of Renshi Sam Palmer. (Both photos donated by Sensei Schacht. THANKS!)

Renshi Sam Palmer's death notice in the September 1978 issue of BlackBelt magazine.

If you have any further information on Palmer Renshi's career or corrections to my sparse data, I would welcome the additions or corrections.

Domo arrigato!
Webmaster - Dr. Michael Cox

Flyer for Karate Course at Brevard Community College, Cocoa, Florida, 1973

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