storminnorman, my grandpa also smoked a pipe occasionally and that is one of the main factors that drew ME to trying the pipe. I've only been smoking pipe for a few months, and been on the forum for only a little while, but the community of pipe smokers is just fantastic. I really can't believe the generosity, knowledge and kindness shown.
The packing and lighting/relighting thing is a bit tricky, but started to get easier when I stopped trying so damn hard. Try packing looser than you think you should to see if that helps. Another thing that I've found is getting a good, heavy charring light going, tamp it down a bit and then let the pipe rest for 10-15 mins. For some reason, I have to relight less often this way. I discovered it by always being interrupted JUST as I sit down for a smoke.