Ronald “Ron” Eastman

On the morning of September 2nd at 9:30am Ron Eastman, Shiché Áakaisshen Daxpitchéesh, began his journey to the other camp.   Ron is a loving husband, strong father, doting grandfather and an influential paternal figure to his many nephews and nieces, grandsons and granddaughters and the many other people he has mentored throughout his life. 

Ron is an enrolled member of the Apsaalooke Nation (Crow Nation) and member of the Whistling Water Clan as well as descended from the Northern Cheyenne Nation being part of the Kit Boy Society.   

Ron is the son of Perry Eastman and Lucy Cummins Eastman, he is the grandchild of John and Amy Whiteman Runs Him (they adopted Perry Eastman) and Richard Waller Cummins and Hazel One Goose.  Ron is the youngest of his seven brothers and one sister. 

Ron is a graduate of Lodge Grass High School where he excelled as a football player and basketball player.  Later on in his young journey Ron also was a traditional dancer,  bull rider and boxer.  Ron had various livelihoods that helped shape into the man we know today, he was a ranch hand  and forest firefighter. 

In the fall of 1960 Ron attended Bacone College where he met the love of his life Bernadine George; they were married on June 8th, 1961 at the Church of the Good Shepherd on the Onondaga Nation.  Ron and Berna went on to have four children Caroline Hicks, Perry Eastman, Sue Burney-Eastman and Tim Eastman.  Their Journey together took them across this great nation from upstate New York, to Massachusetts, to Kentucky while finally calling Lawrence, Kansas home. 

In his time Ron was employed with the Chrysler Corporation, Greyhound Bus Lines and New York State Transportation Safety Board.  Ron found his calling while being employed with Greyhound, he had worked his way into drivers training school in which he parlayed into an accident investigator for Greyhound.  Through his newly found skills he was later recruited to join the New York State Transportation Safety Board where he excelled in worker safety for DOT employees as well as employees under NYS contract.  He eventually retired from New York State in 2003 celebrating his many accolades.  

On June 6th 1984 Ron found his calling, on this day he became a grandfather/papa.  Ron was later introduced to Bruce Martin where it was decided to make Bruce a member of his immediate family. Ron mentored his eight grandchildren and assisted them in finding their native culture.  In this phase of his life Ron had made the decision to reenter the sacred circle and dance alongside his grandchildren and new found son.  Ron mentored his children as well, he supported and encouraged them by bringing them into the Sundance and prayed alongside them when he was able.

As Ron flourished in Lawrence Kansas he became a respected elder among the native community of Lawrence.  He was a familiar face at many powwows where he was branded with the name of “uncle” and danced and sang with many people throughout Indian Country.  Working beside his wife Berna they both began employment at Kickapoo nation school where he mentored several young men by teaching them how to become a drum group.  Ron took great pride in accomplishing this and to this day those young men still sing together when they can. 

Ron has been preceded by his seven brothers and one sister; Clarence Brien, Kenneth “Buddy” Brien, Robert “Bobby” Brien, Jess “Buster” Brien, Agnes Brien Birdfaraway, Delmar Eastman, Richard Eastman and Mervin Eastman.  

Ron is survived by his wife of 63 years Bernadine Eastman, his 5 children Caroline Hicks, Perry Eastman and wife Karen Eastman, Sue Burney Eastman and husband Keven Bauer, Tim Eastman and his wife Jennifer Eastman and Bruce Martin and his wife LeeAnn Martin.  Ron also has eight grandchildren; Eric Hicks and wife Margaret Hicks, Kara Hicks, Ryan Eastman, Kate Eastman, Sarah Eastman, Elizabeth Burney, Jason Burney and Kaelyn Eastman.  Ron and Berna also have eight great grandchildren Elan Hicks, Eniyah Hicks, Tyler Jim, Jaxson “Biscuit” Hicks, Legend Blaylock, Mya Palacio, Nina Palacio and Jordyn Palacio.   

Ron is also survived by his many, many nephews and nieces, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Ron’s family is vast and large with many relatives, friends that became family and people who have taken Ron on as a family member.  

Memorial services will be held on Friday, September 6, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.