Bob Hiltermann, a remarkable individual, was born in Wiesbaden, Germany, as the 10th of 11 children. Unfortunately, he contracted spinal meningitis at the tender age of four, leaving him deaf. His family, unaware of his condition, mistakenly assumed he was "slow." They relocated to Canada when Bob was just five years old, further complicating communication for him. It wasn't until he turned ten that his family discovered his deafness. This realization sparked a journey of self-discovery for Bob, who eventually found solace in learning sign language at the age of 18, while attending Gallaudet University.
Growing up in a family of classical musicians, Bob developed a profound appreciation for music. He began playing the drums at 16 and was drawn to performance. His groundbreaking work in sign language musical theater, "MUSIGN," earned him widespread recognition. As the drummer for the internationally acclaimed all-deaf rock band "Beethoven's Nightmare," Bob has performed globally, showcasing his exceptional talent. In addition to drums, he is also proficient in playing percussions, harmonica, piano, and electric keyboard.
As an accomplished actor, Bob has appeared in numerous award-winning documentary films, television shows, soaps, stage productions, and feature films. His impressive credits include a year-long stint on the popular TV soap "All My Children," as well as features such as "Children of a Lesser God," "The Heart is a Drum Machine," and "The Hammer." He is one of four deaf entertainers featured in the well-received documentary "See What I'm Saying." Bob is also the star of the new educational DVD series "Shut Up and Sign," which has generated interest in being adapted into a television series.
