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Hank Henson, 57, a long-time Berkeley tenants’ rights activist, died unexpectedly July 28 of a heart attack.  

A native of New York, Henson grew up in Great Neck, Long Island and graduated from the Stockbridge School at the University of Massachusetts. He studied at Columbia University in New York and later completed the Horticulture program at Merritt College in Oakland.  

After arriving in Berkeley in 1978, Henson began advocating for tenants’ rights, a cause he would champion for nearly two decades. 

“He had incredible dedication – he was unstoppable when trying to help somebody,” said Randy Silverman, who frequently crossed paths with Henson while working on tenants’ rights issues. 

Henson was involved with the Berkeley Tenants Union and provided counsel for thousands of Berkeley residents through the Tenant Action Project, a paralegal group that does tenant counseling and emergency work. 

Maureen Noon, a friend of Henson’s for many years, remembers his “wicked sense of humor and gift for mimicry.” 

Friends recognized Henson’s talent as a mimic and his mastery of language as attributes that made him unique. 

“He was a combination of an irritant, prophet, saint and friend,” said Silverman.  

“Often when people pass away, people say they are irreplaceable. Hank really is irreplaceable,” Silverman added. 

Henson is survived by his mother Isabelle Selverstone, his sister Nancy Henson Hey and his niece Julie Lillis. He is also remembered by his friend of 23 years, Noon.  

A service to celebrate Henson’s life will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS) or to the East Bay Community Law Center.