Gary Rhine
1951 - 2006

Gary Rhine: June 26, 1951 - January 9, 2006. Father, husband, fifth-generation San Franciscan, political and indigenous cultures rights activist, filmmaker, paramedic, and author of the politically progressive Rhino's Blog. Gary passed away doing something he loved - flying a small plane. The plane crashed in Lancaster, California on January 9th. An award winning documentary filmmaker, Gary devoted much of his life to issues surrounding the preservation of indigenous cultures and sacred lands. Gary's work contributed greatly to the rising awareness of indigenous rights. If you wish to honor Gary, please consider doing so by sending a contribution to one of the charitable organizations that Gary cared deeply about: The Friendship House, 56 Julian Street San Francisco, CA 94103 and Plenty USA, P.O. Box 394 Summertown TN, 38483. On the memo line, please indicate that the funds should be directed to the Rhino/Katrina Building Fund.

"...one of the most remarkable and excellent people I have come across in all my days....Gary Rhine is a noted documentary filmmaker who has focused much of his work on the life, politics, and struggles of Native Americans. One of his films, "Peyote Road," was central to the successful effort to overturn the Supreme Court decision barring the use of peyote in Native religious rituals."
-- William Rivers Pitt

"He opened up a hole in the sky.

The greatest gift is to give oneself,
And in these times I recall
It is the only gift.
Gary gave it freely and well,
Such a big, teddy bear Rhino.
(Do they make those anymore?)

Always there to help, share and celebrate,
How did he get so much done, yet not seem to be working?
He taught himself so many things, but never bragged on 'em.
No matter when I called, he'd talk or get back shortly
With ideas, solutions, explanations, disclaimers and warnings.

He made room for people without chairs to sit at the table,
And it was quite a meal.
People liked him who didn't even like each other,
But he knew what was up and served them all.
His vision made imprints
That he left behind.

We weren't prepared, but how could we?
His glistening red beard must have caught the light;
They opened up a hole in the sky,
Just swooped down and took him in.

They opened up a hole in the sky,
Just swooped down and took him in."
-- Jan Mundo

"He is the drummer
he is my friend
he has drummed for many a moon
his drum is his heart
and his heart is big and loud
he drums for freedom
he drums in times of insanity
with a clear beat
a clear message
a voice for us all
he beckoned to the Earth
he drummed on
and his drumming was steady
kind and clear
he was always there
for us all
he was the steady consistent
message of love and peace
that all of us needed to hear
he cared so deeply
for his brothers and sisters
that he would drum
into the night
hoping that his big beating heart
would make a difference
in all our lives
the drummer is gone
but his big beating heart lives on
drum on, drum on Gary Rhine"
-- Alan Graf

Learn more about Gary's filmmaking at http://www.kifaru.com/.

Learn more about his charitable activities promoting cultural and environmental awareness at http://www.dreamcatchers.org/.

Memorial Service

The funeral will be in San Francisco on Sunday the 15th of January at Congregation Beth-Israel-Judea 625 Brotherhood Way San Francisco, CA 94132. Services will begin at 1:30. A memorial will be held in Los Angeles at a later date. If you would like to make contact with Gary's family, then you can e-mail his wife, Irene Romero, at: imromero@kifaru.com. The family thanks you for your concern. In lieu of flowers, you may choose to honor Gary by sending a contribution to one of the following charitable organizations that Gary cared deeply about: The Friendship House, 56 Julian Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 and Plenty USA, P.O. Box 394, Summertown TN, 38483. On the memo line, please indicate that the funds should be directed to the Rhino/Katrina Building Fund. 

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