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Rand (Skip) Palmer
(Skip) Rand Palmer

Rand (Skip) Palmer was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and graduated from Chartiers Valley High School in 1970. Rand attended Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio and received a B.S. degree in Education in 1974. He was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity and was a member of Bowling Green's nationally ranked Rugby team from 1973 to 1975. As a scrum halfback, Rand's most memorable events were leading the team in scoring in the spring of 1974, bringing back the dropkick field goal, and toasting opponents at the Brathaus Pub following a home game.

Rand and his wife Debra live in Haskins, Ohio where they enjoy the peace and quiet of country living and rooting for the World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers. Rand has been employed by Benchmark Technologies Corporation since 1993 in the Human Resources department, and Deb is Senior Vice President / Chief Operations Officer at Metamora State Bank. Daughter Tara, husband Derrick and their children Aiden, Hannah and Cooper reside in Pinckney, Michigan. Daughter Erin, husband Nick, their daughter Avery and son Rowan reside in Milford, Michigan.

2010 Academy Award
2010 Academy of Masters - Instructor of the Year
Rand in the air with Mr. Lieb as judge
Rand and Mr. Lieb as judge
Ernie Lieb, Dr. Guessler, Rand 'Skip' Palmer
Ernie Lieb, Dr. Guessler, Rand
2013 Toledo Seminar
2013 Toledo Seminar

Hoping to find a rigorous, physical lifetime activity, Rand began his martial arts career in September 1978 in Bowling Green with the American Karate System (AKS) under the guidance of Bob and Mary Ann Nicholson.

After moving to Toledo, Ohio in 1980, Rand joined Dr. Guessler Normand's A.K.S school in 1981 and received his 1st Dan rank in December of 1985. Rand assisted Dr. Normand at the West Toledo YMCA branch of the A.K.S. until 2000 when Dr. Normand retired from his career at the University of Toledo and the martial arts program at the Y.

Rand retired from leading the Toledo Club in May, 2023. He was presented with the Earnest H. Lieb Award for his service to the AKS.

 
Fred and Skip Palmer
Toledo Club
Award Plaque


    • 1st Dan  American Karate System, December 21, 1985
    • 2nd Dan  American Karate System, February 15, 2001
    • 3rd Dan  American Karate System, February 15, 2001
    • 4th Dan  American Karate System, November 23, 2004
    • 5th Dan  American Karate System, July 20, 2007
    • 6th Dan  American Karate System, Master Level, July 13, 2012


    • 2010  Academy of Masters - Instructor of the Year
    • 2023  Recipient of the Ernest H. Lieb Award