In Memory of Rob Hennig

Beloved advocate, educator, collector, and friend

25th October 1967–3rd September 2025

We are heartbroken to share that Rob Hennig, a cherished member of our Board of Directors and a tireless advocate for the arts and social justice, passed away peacefully on 3rd September at fifty-seven years of age.

Born in Philadelphia, Rob joined the Board of Tom of Finland Foundation in 2019, revitalizing our leadership with his generous spirit and deep expertise. As Chairman, he brought with him his unwavering commitment to equity and creativity. His passion for the arts was evident in everything he did—from his instrumental support of the TOM House: The Work and Life of Tom of Finland exhibition at MOCAD in 2018 to his generous gift of rare prints and posters that now enrich our archives and inspire future generations.

A collector of art and of ideas, Rob brought the same zeal for equity to our boardroom that he did to every corner of his remarkable life. As a lawyer, a university teacher, and an activist, Rob devoted his career to uplifting others. After graduating from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law in 1994, he dedicated his legal practice to advocating for employees facing injustice, and his voice became a trusted one—quoted often in local and national media on critical legal and political issues.

Rob taught constitutional law and judicial politics at UCLA for over a decade, where he also introduced the university’s first-ever course on LGBT politics. He shaped countless young minds, not just through scholarship, but through the example of his lived values: courage, compassion, and commitment to change.

A longtime leader in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, Rob served as President of the Lesbian and Gay Rights Chapter of the ACLU of Southern California and was the founding Co-Chair of what is now Equality California, the state’s largest LGBTQ+ advocacy organization. Even as his professional accomplishments grew, he remained grounded in service—volunteering his time as an attorney for the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center’s Legal Referral Program and offering pro bono support to numerous nonprofit organizations.

As a wine enthusiast, Rob was a business partner in a wine concierge service. He was also a political junkie, serious bodybuilder, ayahuaca enthusiast, world traveler, Tom of Finland collector, and boot and sneaker fanatic.

Rob Hennig knew what it meant to be a zealous advocate—not just in the courtroom, but in life. He was fiercely intelligent, endlessly generous, and deeply kind. His legacy lives on in the institutions he strengthened, the communities he empowered, and the art he loved and championed.

Rob is preceded in death by his father, Guenter Hennig. He is survived by his spouse, Steven Endo; his mother, Diana Hennig; sister, Angela Poovey and her husband, Chad Poovey. 

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Rob’s family, friends, colleagues, and all who were touched by his presence. He will be profoundly missed—and forever remembered.

A private funeral for Rob’s family took place on 12th September.

A public memorial service to celebrate his life and legacy will take place on Sunday 26th October in the Doheny Room of the West Hollywood Park Recreation Center, 647 North San Vicente Boulevard, 2:30-4:00p.

To have trees planted in Rob’s memory visit the Sympathy Store.

Published: 11th September 2025

Categorised in: Friends of Tom, News