I was so sorry to learn via Ridor that Gil Eastman has died. For those of you not familiar with him, Gil was an amazing voice in the Deaf community. Watching him sign was like listening to James Earl Jones speak…rich, powerful, and intense. He contributed so much to the Deaf arts community and the community at large. With Mary Lou Novitsky, he co-hosted “Deaf Mosaic” for 10 years, a fantastic newsmagazine produced at Gallaudet University that I watched every Sunday when I was a kid; he won an Emmy for his involvement in the show. He was also known for stirring performances of ASL literature, including a great version of the U.S. national anthem (Star-Spangled Banner). He contributed to a production of ASL poetry on videotape, he wrote plays about Deaf people and Deaf culture, and he was a professional storyteller.

I am greatly saddened by Gil Eastman’s death, I had always hoped to see him speak in person. I will have to resign myself to watching as many old tapes as I can, so I can see those beautiful signs over and over.