Leonard “Hakzaw” Henzel has Passed

Hello Laser Friends,

Not sure where this is best placed on this forum, but I am saddened to let everyone know that Hakzaw, who many of you knew on LPF, as well as here on PhotonLexicon in past years, has passed away. I believe it was yesterday, as Hak had been in an accident, was recovering, but apparently his health worsened over the course of several days. Len was 77. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

I first met Hak at a SELEM event 15 years ago, as Hak loved lasers, light shows, BBQ and was a great cook as well! He helped coordinate TEXLEM in 2012 with Tim Walsh and myself. For those of you that were at SELEM in 2023, you may have meet him, or recall Len being there with us. Len baked cookies for us, as he had helped cook at several events in the past. There are so many crazy stories, laughs and good memories that I’ll have from his friendship. Len was a good guy, generous and a real character for those that knew him. I know he will be missed.

Greg

RIP Len...
I will miss you.

Steve

I'm saddened and so sorry to hear this. My condolences go out to his loved ones.

Although I only met Leonard on this forum, he was one of the most affable, genuinely friendly person that reached out to me after seeing one of my posts with an open offer to come pick me up anytime I returned to his general area in Texas. I wish I had gotten to meet him in person.

May he rest in peace.

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Originally Posted by lasermaster1977

Although I only met Leonard on this forum, he was one of the most affable, genuinely friendly person that reached out to me after seeing one of my posts with an open offer to come pick me up anytime I returned to his general area in Texas. I wish I had gotten to meet him in person.

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Len was definitely that kind of guy. Friendly and helpful, and always with a collection of cool stories to share. (How many people have you met who can tell you what Woodstock was *really* like, because they went to the event in 1969?)

I know that he had been struggling with his health in recent years, but I honestly thought he'd hang in there a while longer. Evidently the injuries from that accident were pretty serious.

I am very thankful that he was able to return to SELEM in 2023 at least, so he could see how things have changed with the new venue and reconnect with old friends - some of whom hadn't seen him in several years.

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May he rest in peace.

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Indeed. He will be missed by many.

Adam

Never meet him but I wonder if some of those mystery lights in NJ and now in TX are him saying hello

I assure you our dude is 1. Finding the Buffet, 2. Looking for unattended knobs and switches. 3. Finding the buy/sell/trade table. 4. Giving Charles Towns and Ivan Dryer an Ear Ache with questions.

Very interesting dude and had a good heart. I'm sad to hear that he has passed.