Today was the memorial service for Robert Davis, an incredible figure in the leather community in Baltimore and surrounding areas. This man cared so much. He did work in Baltimore for homeless people and people living with HIV/AIDS. He had time for everybody, somehow his days had over 24 hours. He was so encouraging to hopeful leather titleholders, giving them a guiding hand. His contributions are too many to number. He really was incredible. And he gave of his body, literally, to save a fellow leatherman’s life. When he found out a friend needed a kidney, he donated his. Can you give any more in your life to someone? (I believe the kidney is the only thing you can donate while you’re alive.)

The service was really touching, lots of tears. I interpreted free, of course, and so did fairerhiannon. Two of my favorite deaf people showed up; they both spoke about their memories of him. My own memory, which was briefly related by one of the deaf guys, was from IDL 2005. Robert wanted to get up on stage and say something; I offered to interpret and he said no, he’d do it himself! He was capable of holding a conversation in ASL and did his own presentation on stage.

I really can’t describe what a great guy he was. Just phenomenal. I kept expecting him to walk in the door, the service was held at the Hippo, and he’d been there so many times before. I had been thinking about him during the week before he died; I am not the woo-woo type but I think it is a little odd that I had been. I wish I had sent an email to ask how he was doing. He is so deeply missed.