Noted Alaskan Artist Eric Deeter Killed in Crash

Alaska has lost a Painter, Pianist, and a founder of Radio Free Palmer. A member of the Oil Painters of America, American Impressionists Society, and a tireless Grassroots Organizer and worker Eric Deeter, 50, was on his way to a weekly painting date with Diann Haist when he was involved in a fatal auto accident.

Witness's say that while Deeter was making a left turn against the light at Minnesota and Tudor when his Toyota Carrolla was struck by a Dodge Ram Pickup driven by local resident George Frenzel. Deeter was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

Deeter leaves behind a legacy that is impressive. Deeter's paintings can be found from the Palmer Museum of History and Art, to the Fountainhead Gallery in Seattle, Washington, with exhibitions as far way as Colorado.

Deeter's time living in the Alaskan bush inspired many of his paintings such as "Winter Bones", which now hangs in the Palmer Museum of History. The people and landscape of Nepal was another favorite subject of Deeters. He would produce over a dozen paintings on this subject alone

But painting was not Deeters only form of art. He was an accomplished jazz and blues pianist. Diann Haist, said of Deeters musical talent: "He was amazing. It was as though music just flowed out of him. Effortless".

Deeter was also a vibrant member of the community. Aside from being a founding member of Radio Free Palmer, Deeter would later be one of the tireless workers who made possible RFP's "A Prairie Home Companion" knockoff variety and fund raiser show in 2004. From assembling musicians and actors, to writing scripts for the show, Deeter was a man who could get things done, like rallying other artists to help build a cabin for a fellow artist and her husband who did not have a place to live in the coming winter.

Jim Sykes, a Board Member of Palmer Free Radio was parked in a parking lot a few blocks away at the time of the accident. He heard the sirens and saw the traffic pile up, he would not know it was Deeter involved in the accident until the next morning.

"It's one of those things that hit's you in the gut" He says.

Deeter leaves behind his wife, Gretchen Diemer, a poet and teacher at Pioneer Peak Elementary; and his son, Iditarod musher Jeff Deeter.

A fund has been set up for Deeter's family. Donations can be made in his name at any branch of the Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union.