Keith Hufnagel, who helped define skateboarding in the 1990s and established the streetwear clothing brand Huf Worldwide, succumbed to brain cancer this week, which he’d been fighting for at least two years, according to his brand’s Instagram in announcing his passing.
“We are absolutely heartbroken to deliver the news today that HUF founder Keith Hufnagel has passed away,” reads the post. “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. He passionately wanted to see others succeed. And we all loved him for it. But above anything else, Keith loved and supported the people around him. He would do anything for his friends, family and children.”
Hufnagel had done pretty much everything in the industry from skating professionally – “Such a smooth skater with amazing flow and effortless style that nobody had,” wrote a fan on The Berrics YouTube page – to owning a skateshop and establishing footwear and clothing brands to acting as a creative director for those companies.
“Hailing from New York City, HUF burst onto the 1990s San Francisco skate scene with otherworldly power and pop, reaching the height of his profession, while simultaneously orchestrating his next landmark, launching his own mold-breaking, brick and mortar stores in The City,” wrote Thrasher magazine of the 46-year-old. “Lightyears ahead of the curve, his vision and curation of those shops would transform HUF from nickname to international trademark. We didn’t just want to skate like HUF, we wanted to look like HUF – to be HUF.”
Hufnagel leaves behind a wife and two children. RIP.
Editor’s Note: The video above was produced by The Berrics.
