‘He spent his time giving’: Friends mourn man struck, killed trying to stop vehicle theft

Friends of Robert “Bob” Henze, who police said was killed trying to stop a vehicle theft Tuesday, described the retired engineer and artist as kind and gentle.

“He was a talented builder in many mediums, and he was just happy to volunteer his time toward anything he thought was worth helping,” said Eric Cifani. “That’s who he was. He spent his time giving to this community.”

Cifani, who has known Henze for more than a decade, said he was astonished when he heard about his friend’s death. He suspected that Henze, who was not confrontational, had tried to reason with the driver before he was struck.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department, a suspect stole a running, unoccupied vehicle from a driveway near the 4600 block of Glenn Davis Drive, near East Harmon Avenue and South Nellis Boulevard, late Tuesday morning. As the suspect drove off, he struck a man later identified as Henze, who was trying to intervene.

Police said the vehicle was later located but the suspect remained at large. Henze died at the scene.

The Clark County coroner’s office said he died of blunt force injuries, and his death was ruled a homicide.

Henze was looking forward to starting as a volunteer trail keeper at Wetlands Park, Cifani said. He was also building a ranch in Moapa that he hoped to move to in the coming years.

“It didn’t happen fast enough,” Cifani said.

Members of the Las Vegas Burning Man Facebook group also posted tributes to Henze.

Among them was Melissa Sue, who said Henze, a regular at the annual festival, was there for friends and strangers alike. A handyman at heart, he was always ready with a helping hand, advice, or a word of support.

“Our community is reeling as the news ripples from house to heart,” Sue wrote. “His death was senseless which adds to the bewilderment.”

Cifani urged those with information about Henze’s death to come forward.

“They would be doing this community a great service to report it to authorities,” he said. “And to Metro, my message is to please give your best effort at bringing Bob’s killer to justice.”

Contact Akiya Leggio at [email protected].