We are very devastated, Rest In Peace to one of the most influential professional skaters in the world Keith Hufnagel, dead at the age of 46 after a brain cancer battle. You are already missed.
Keith had been hospitalized recently and had been battling brain cancer for the past two and a half years.
Keith was born in New York in 1974 and had a huge impact on the East Coast skateboarding scene in the '90s until this day primarily because of his massive ollies and fast skating in San Francisco. Additionally, he was also the founder of the brand HUF which is also a skate shop, clothing, and skate shoes, the production of the HUF skateboarding shoe however was stopped at the end of 2019.
The devastating news was announced on Instagram by Keith Hufnagel's brand HUF.
"We are absolutely heartbroken to deliver the news today that HUF founder Keith Hufnagel has passed away. 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." The brand said. "Keith was not only the ‘HUF’nagel in HUF. He was the heart and soul of this brand. He built and brought together a community of people like no one else could." "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." The HUF brand continues. "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. Keith’s legacy will continue to live on at HUF. Today, tomorrow and forever. Rest in peace, Keith."
Tributes from professional skaters like Mark Appleyard, Don Brown, Andrew Brophy, Jake Hayes, Torey Pudwill, and more began immediately after Keith's death was announced: