Robert Hendrickson, Veteran, Filmmaker, Husband, passed away peacefully while watching television on his couch October 1, 2016.
Robert was a friend of TLB researchers everywhere. He was a friend of the blog. He was a friend of mine.
His Oscar nominated film MANSON ended up in many ways his life's work. When screening it in August we were able to see how amazing a work it really was when the audience applauded in droves. Robert’s later work, assemble from outtakes, INSIDE THE MANSON GANG, was an incredible revelation as we saw the footage cleaned up and shiny.
This is only the beginning of the post to tell you all the sad news. Myself and others will add to it as we find out more.
RIP Robert Hendrickson, my filmmaking friend.
I cannot begin to say how very sad I am to learn of Robert's passing. Robert was one of a kind and I am so very glad that I was able to meet him. Recently The Col. introduced Robert to George Hamilton. He and Robert discussed the Manson case, Robert seemed at peace to learn what he did from George, it apparently was a piece of the puzzle that was missing for Robert. I am thankful for that.
ReplyDeleteYou will truly be missed Robert. God Speed.
I am so very saddened to hear this. I never met the man but I knew he was unique, and I have tears in my eyes at this news. He didn't just challenge the way I think about Manson, he challenged the way I think. I'm certain I won't be the only one able to say that.
ReplyDeleteThe universe was a better place with Mr Hendrickson in it and I send my sincere condolences to all across the pond who knew him in life and will miss him greatly, especially you Matt.
Rest in peace Robert. Ave atque vale. We have those missing marbles of yours, and I promise we will use them well.
Fitting picture to remember him by. Smiling and getting the adoration he deserved. I am so sad and so sorry to hear about this news. A great thinker, and a thoughtful man. Although I never had the privilege of meeting him, I am honored to have been able to communicate with Mr. H.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences to his family and all of his friends most importantly. We all lost an incredible contributor and insider who made this conversation much deeper than it was before him and will be without him.
I will miss him, and his thoughts greatly.
Rest in Eternal Peace Sir and thanks for everything you gave us :)
Oh my. He was such a gracious and funny person. Although I only met him once, I will miss him.
ReplyDeleteI did so want to come on the tour sometime soon, and buy that good man a drink, and enjoy his company. I am so sad that it will now never happen.
ReplyDeleteI can't begin to express our sadness; it's so hard to digest at the moment. Matt is out of town, but has been worried about Robert's whereabouts for over a week. You see, they communicated several times a day for about 5 years. The silence has been deafening.
ReplyDeleteAnd then, our fears were realized today.
Matt will post here, but "needs a day", as he put it. He said, "I love the guy and will miss him. I already do."
RIP, Robert. My prayers go out to his family.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteIt was hard not to notice that he'd been missing the past week. I was hoping that he was on vacation or taking a break. As MrsMatt said, worst fears realized.
We were lucky to get to know him. The people who got to meet and spend time with him were even luckier.
Robert was such a great guy, with a great sense of humor, interesting stories, a truly unique perspective on all things, and a way with words like no other.
He will be forever missed. Thoughts and prayers to his family, and all his friends.
I had noticed his silence the past week. Now we know. I never met Robert but he came across on the blog as playful and intelligent. As a Vietnam veteran he had a unique insight into the counterculture world he came back to. We'll miss him. Condolences to his family and friends.
ReplyDeleteRest In Peace, Mr Hendrickson.
ReplyDeleteYour work will intrigue and enlighten for years.
A job well done, sir.
I didn't always understand Robert but, surely will miss him. It's wonderful that he had one last big moment at the August screening.
ReplyDeleteSad news. Condolences to his family & close friends.
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ReplyDelete"Manson" is an incredible documentary. Mr Hendrickson's work is immortal. Very sad news.
ReplyDeletei will never forget he wrote a poem about me and he said some great things about what i do at spahn ranch and that will always mean a lot to me ....REST IN PEACE !!!!!! ...I LOVE YOUR MOVIES !!!...MY profile photo is me with him in 2013 ......
ReplyDeleteHis work will be his immortality. Have a great journey, Robert H.
ReplyDeleteR.i.p
ReplyDeleteR.i.p
ReplyDeleteTears.
ReplyDeleteCan't even wrap my head around it.
He was TOTALLY alive 3 weeks earlier.
Wow. This is such a profound loss. RIP Robert
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ReplyDeleteI am at least for a moment not crying.
ReplyDeleteI never met 'Mr. Hendrickson', 'Robert', 'RH'. When you came to this blog as a 'newbie' you progressed through how you could/should 'speak to him'.
I tried to make that movie premier and will never forgive myself, now, for not getting there. 'What ifs', 'if I had only' 'maybe next years' are so much a part of how we live, how I live.
There were so many thinks that made me think, made me want to sit with him on a hillside somewhere, in the sun and just.... listen.
There are so few like him in the world and now it is so much quieter then it was before.
Safe journeys, Mr. Hendrickson.
So sad - my thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.
ReplyDeleteDespite our distance in miles - we had many animated conversations via email over the years - and he was always most grateful for my interest in his film. "Manson" will be his signature piece of work, and it will endure over the years as a definitive and authoritative statement on the Manson phenomenon.
R1P Robert.
One of the best movies of all time, whether you have an interest in Manson or not.One of my personal favorites I've recommended to many, and definitely the only one with in depth footage of Charlie's vest. RIP 💜
ReplyDeleteOne of the best filmmakers in the world.... Rest in peace, Robert
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ReplyDeleteQDEP Sr. Hendrickson.
ReplyDeletePeople die and it sucks. Especially when it's someone close like RH was to many on this blog. But, looking at the silver lining of the cloud, we should all be lucky enough to go as peaceful as it appears Mr RH did.
ReplyDeleteDeeply saddened and teary eyed by this news. My sincere condolences to the family and friends.
ReplyDeleteIt was a pleasure to have even a small online interaction with such a talented, knowledgable and unique man.
Safe journey Robert, you left your footprints in the sand forever. RIP
Very sad to hear this. My condolences to his loved ones.
ReplyDeleteThy remembrance shall endure unto all generations.
ReplyDeleteSimply an unforgettable character. Every one of his posts was a mind puzzle.
ReplyDeleteCan't believe Charlie outlived him.
Imagine the ruckus RH will cause in the beyond.
First thing he'll try and do is sucker punch LBJ.
He was a real warrior - a rare breed.
adios mi amigo
Very very sad I will appriecite the signed book & DVD set that much more R.I.P Robert
ReplyDeleteVery very sad I will appriecite the signed book & DVD set that much more R.I.P Robert
ReplyDeleteI had an email from someone who could not post here for some reason and they asked me to relay this message.
ReplyDeleteJust heard the news....
RIP RH, and thanks for the decoder ring.
TAFKACWC
From this troll & from the bottom of my heart, God bless ROBERT HENDRICKSON, film maker, author, and a brilliant MAN.
ReplyDeleteRobert Hendrickson seemed to spend most of his time here in the realm of ideas. Someone would make a comment, and he'd say something like
ReplyDeleteGrim, I think you are onto something...", and the Hendricksin-isms would flow in non-case-sensitive-stream-of-consciousness IDEAS. Ideas. Ideas...
"Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people"
- Eleanor Roosevelt
I already miss you like nobody's business, my friend. Godspeed, and take it easy on LBJ, ok?
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ReplyDeleteWhenever I saw Robert's name in front of a post, I stopped and read every word. I may not have understood them all, but I looked forward to his posts more than any other. I've been reading this blog for years, silently supporting all of your efforts to shed light on this interesting and hearttbreaking topic. Robert, himself a central character of TLB in our era, made me laugh, ask myself a lot of "what if's," feel connected, and wish I'd known him. That spicy, conundrum creating, conspiracy theorist charmed me. Peace and light to his family. My condolences to his friends on this blog. Much Love to each of you.
ReplyDeleteA sad sad day ...things just wont be the same around here :(...such a unique man will be greatly missed.
ReplyDeleteRIP Robert
ReplyDeleteMr. H, may you truly rest in peace, friend!
ReplyDeleteRIP Robert, YOU were truly ONE of a kind
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear of Robert's death. I wish I had been around this blog longer to get to know him a little better. Now I wish I had ordered his Manson related films a little sooner, but the procrastinator in me won out on that decision.
ReplyDeleteR.I.P. Robert.
Am so sorry to hear of Mr. Hendrickson's passing, he truly was an enigma wrapped in a riddle and his posts definitely posited questions that made the reader ask more questions which took critical thinking to the next level. Condolences to his loved ones, family, friends and kindred blog subscribers.
ReplyDeleteWe are indeed fortunate to have been able to interact with Robert, be mystified by some of the things he said, be challenged to look at things from other angles {even though he didn't particularly expect the directions we sometimes went in} and to glean from some of his insights. Sometimes. It's sort of fitting that in all the banter we had where I'd say he was cryptic and never answered straight, the last thing he answered that I had asked him was as straight as straight could be. Still had those unexplored rooms inside though, in true RH style.
ReplyDeleteNo other movie on this subject that I've seen quite captures what he managed and I love his book but in truth, I enjoyed the interactions in cyberspace with him far more. He came across to me as both closed and open and you know, despite the frequent capitals, he was such a gentleman. Even his annoyance was seasoned.
My condolences to Robert's family and friends. He was a good and fascinating man.
ReplyDeleteCondolences to his Wife, Family & Friends, and everyone here who were close to Mr Hendrickson. His way of writing/coment/conribution to MansonBlogg was truly unique in my eyes....
ReplyDeleteSad to read, He suddenly & unexpected passed away. RIP Mr Hendrickson.
Hans Bell
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ReplyDeleteShocking news to learn!
ReplyDeleteYou will be missed by many Mr. H. You are definitely one of a kind & left a lasting impression on those who got to read your posts.
Rest in peace Robert.
May God bless you & have you in his loving care.
Very sorry to hear this. My condolences.
ReplyDeleteGoodness, this is a shock.
ReplyDeleteSo sudden, without a shred of warning.
At least he went out peacefully, with dignity and not a horrible suffering death.
Robert certainly was a character, unlike anybody else.And he truly brought a certain spark to this blog. It won't ever be the same.RIP
So very sorry to read this. Robert shared a wealth of information and never ceased to force one to look at this case & the times they occurred in through a bigger eye. Although, I couldn't help but "SHOUT" the capital words in his posts in my head as I read them! He will be sorely missed, not only on this blog, but in life. They don't make people like that any longer.
ReplyDeleteRest easy, my friend. Sleep well.
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ReplyDeleteI've been following campaign coverage, so I finally checked in for the first time in a few weeks. Very sad at the passing of RH. He was a master thought-provoker and Lord knows we can use as many of those as we can get.
ReplyDeleteRIP, good sir.
I'm so so saddened to hear of Mr. H's passing. What a sweet guy. He always saw things from a unique perspective. He loved to challenge us to think outside the box, even if it didn't make sense. You will be missed Mr. H. Safe travels.
ReplyDeleteHe was amazing sad to hear about this.I loved the way he answered our questions on your site he was so cool.
ReplyDeleteVery sorry to hear this.
ReplyDeleteRIP Mr. Hendrickson...When I was a teen in the early
ReplyDelete80's, I had an older cousin who owned a video store. I
ran across the VHS of MANSON for rent in the 99 cent
bin. I asked my cuz if he thought I would like it...he sent me home with MANSON and (the original)
HELTER SKELTER on VHS....that was the beginning
of my fascination with Tate Labianca. Thank you,
Mr H...and God Bless...God Speed.
I miss Mr. H.
ReplyDeleteVery sad to learn about Mr. Hendrickson passing.
ReplyDeleteI hope he had left the answers to all of his enigmas somewhere... I loved to read his posts, such a joyful experience.
You'll be greatly missed here Mr. H