It is with great sorrow that Birankai mourns the passing of Robert Burns, 5th Dan Shidoin of Aiki Farms Aikikai. Bob was the crazy uncle of BNA. We all loved him dearly, especially Chiba Sensei. Bob’s loyalty, love, and dedication to our community and teacher, was unquestioned. 
Knowing him personally for almost 30 years, I’m grief-stricken.
Sincerely,
Alex Peterson
President, Birankai North America