We at BSPG are very sad to learn of the death of our author, Dr Sam Eisenstein, pictured with his beloved friend, Luke. Deepest condolences to his family, friends, students, and colleagues. He leaves behind his wife Bettyrae of 64 years, his daughter Chana Eisenstein, DVM, and his (step)son Dave Wallace. He will be greatly missed.
We enjoyed the work and discussion we shared with Sam, over almost ten years. Sam was a brilliant person, and profoundly engaged with the meaning of life and death. We had published a book of Sam's poems, and a collection of his prose, and were at the final proof stages of bringing out his latest book of poetry. It is now going to come out with a slightly different title, hopefully within weeks if possible.
Sam was in his 90s when he died, peacefully, on Friday, March 2023, with his family by his side. He wrote a poem or more every day, and emailed them to a wide group of friends and contacts. The themes appeared deceptively simple, and similar - ageing, death, love, memories of younger times, great affection for his pet dog, anger at history's evils, evolution... but the poetry was artful, thoughtful, and often darkly comic. He was a serious and worthwhile poet, with important things to express.
Sam Eisenstein, PhD, was the author of numerous novels and plays including The Inner Garden (Sun & Moon Press 1987) and Rectification of Eros: Havana (Green Integer 1999). His stories appeared in Invisible City, Ribot, Arshile, Seventeen, New York Quarterly, and Prism International.
His plays have been produced by the Company Theatre, Hollywood La Mama, KPFK, and Odyssey Theatre Ensemble. Eisenstein was for many a professor of English and creative writing at Los Angeles City College and was the advisor for the Los Angeles City College literary magazine, Citadel.
He also taught creative writing classes at UCLA’s Extension Program and at the C.G. Jung Institute in Zurich, Switzerland. Eisenstein graduated from UCLA in 1995 with a PhD in comparative literature. He then travelled to Japan, Gakugei Daigaku, where he was a Fulbright lecturer. In 1973, Eisenstein earned his MA in Psychology from Goodard College and became a licensed marriage and family counselor in 1974. Nudibranchia, Eisenstein’s novel, was released Fall 2003 from Red Hen Press.
2 comments
This guy meant the world to me. He brought things out of me no one else could have. It seemed like he was the only only who saw me and believed in me. I am forever grateful to you Professor Eisenstein. I wish your family the very best. You will always be remembered!
Rest in peace; brilliant teacher father figure – Sam Eisenstein. You are missed beyond words.