Sad news for the skate and streetwear community. HUF founder Keith Hufnagel has died at the age of 46. He died today (September 24, 2020) following a battle with a brain tumor. He is survived by his wife, Mariellen Olson, and two sons.
On Instagram, HUF International issue a statement reading, “Keith battled brain cancer for the past 2.5 years. And though he beat the odds and fought back much longer than his diagnosis permitted, he ultimately and unfortunately lost the fight.
“Keith loved skateboarding and the culture around it. He did things his way and did them for the right reasons. He inspired so many of us across the globe.
“But above anything else, Keith loved and supported the people around him. He would do anything for his friends, family and children. He passionately wanted to see others succeed. And we all loved him for it.”
Born and raised in Manhattan, Hufnagel began skating throughout the City in the mid-’80s and during that time gained his nickname through his HUF ONE graffiti tag.
In 1992, he moved to Los Angeles here he began skating professionally. He headed north to San Francisco where he went on to open the first HUF store in 2002. After closing two locations in 2011, the company reentered the brick and mortar business five years later with a location in Los Angeles’ Fairfax neighborhood.
A majority share of HUF was sold to Japan-based TSI Holdings in 2018, and while Hufnagel stepped down as the company CEO, he stayed on to provide creative direction. Currently there are seven HUF stores, three in the United States and four in Japan.
Check out some tribute posts below along with an FTC-produced video of Hufnagel making it look easy as he skates through the streets of San Francisco in 1996.
Keith Hufnagel aka Huf.
— Mang Tomas Papi (@dunksrnice) September 24, 2020
May you RIP. I still have a photo of us when you opened your new store on Hayes Valley SF. You brought not only skateboarding but us sneakerheads in the Bay Area a go to place on Surtter. 😔💔 pic.twitter.com/g1f93QlqOZ
Man….. heavy emotions. R.I.P. Keith Hufnagel. Thank you for all the inspiration you gave us on and off the board. 💔 pic.twitter.com/BtSiKDQ4FJ
— Stephen Vanasco (@StephenVanasco) September 24, 2020
So fucking random. I hate this stupid fucking year. Keith Hufnagel is a legened. When HUF first dropped on the scene and had Dylan and Austyn on the team, it was an unstoppable beast. Loved buying the shoes and supporting an actual skate company. Rest in power. pic.twitter.com/gzAXMsZVMi
— this place is death (@mouthfulofnails) September 24, 2020
RIP Keith Hufnagel. You gave Bay Area skateboarders everything. The reason we wear street wear clothing and love skateboarding culture even more. pic.twitter.com/8u5GVIKQmI
— Gutterballs Bryant (@loliveraustria) September 24, 2020
