Bruce Jay Hendin

Born in St Louis, Missouri on November 11, 1941 to Ruth and Jake Hendin, Bruce’s childhood was spent surrounded by family. His father was one of eleven children, most of whom lived in St. Louis, many on the same street and some in the same apartment building, so there were always dozens of Hendins gathered for Sunday dinners, birthdays and holiday celebrations — traditions that remained very important to Bruce throughout his life.

The family lived on Northwood Avenue, across the street from Demun Elementary School, where there was literally a Hendin in every class. “Hound Dog” became an outstanding athlete at Clayton High School, lettering in baseball and basketball. He loved to share life lessons he learned from his coaches and stayed very close with his teammates. After school, Bruce worked as a car hop at Steak ’n Shake, his favorite restaurant. This was most likely where he learned the proper way to order a hamburger: “Tell me what you want on it, not what you don’t want on it!”

Bruce attended the University of Missouri, wreaking havoc and making lasting friendships with his Sigma Alpha Mu brothers. The summer after his freshman year, one of his neighbors asked him if he’d like to go on a blind date with a girl who was visiting from Texas. He reluctantly said yes and it was love at first sight for Bruce and Dana Dee Benson. After a couple of years of letter writing and intermittent visits, Dana moved to Missouri where Bruce was finishing college and the two began a storybook life together that would span more than 60 years and produce three children, nine grandchildren and a wildly successful business.

Bruce graduated from Mizzou, earning a degree in physical education which he would put to good use, first as a PE teacher and then as the PE Director at the Jewish Community Center in St Louis. His time at the JCC, home of the National Racquetball Championships, inspired his dream to open a private racquetball club in Dana’s hometown. From 1974 to 1999, Bruce and Dana’s Racquetball & Fitness Clubs of San Antonio provided a clean, friendly, fun place for the community to exercise and stay healthy.

He was a legendary businessman, fierce negotiator, respected and generous boss; and a mentor, confidant and benefactor to countless. He asked great questions and was a world class listener. In 1996 Ernst and Young named Bruce the Entrepreneur of the Year, an award given annually to business leaders for their ingenuity, courage and entrepreneurial spirit. In 2021 Bexar County honored Bruce’s contributions to the community and his legacy of service by proclaiming November 9 to be recognized annually as Bruce Hendin Health and Fitness Day. The results of the initial BHHFD events have been overwhelming.

A lifelong St Louis Cardinals fan, Bruce immediately became a Spurs fan and season ticket holder when the team moved to San Antonio. His love of sports was something he was excited to pass on to his kids and grandkids, spoiling them with trips to the World Series, the Super Bowl, the NBA Finals, championship fights and Final Fours. One summer Bruce and Dana famously attended a Major League Baseball game in every stadium (favorite stadium: Pittsburgh, favorite hotdog: Toronto). Of course the games he really loved watching were the ones his kids and grandkids played in (and cheered in), all the way from tee ball to big time college sports.

In 1992 Bruce was diagnosed with hairy cell leukemia, the first of many health issues he battled through the years. In typical Bruce fashion, he turned this setback into an opportunity to learn, teach and give back, organizing a golf fundraiser benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society which raised unprecedented research funds. In 2007 he completed the San Diego Rock N Roll Marathon as part of Team in Training, a flagship fundraising program for LLS.

Gambling was always a big part of Bruce’s life. He loved playing cards and hardly a day went by without him enjoying a game of Hearts, Spades, Gin Rummy, Casino, Poker, Backgammon or Cho Dai Di (the official Hendin family card game). He reveled in the highs and lows of his NFL Survivor entries and cherished sponsoring family members in those contests, as well as March Madness brackets and Super Bowl squares. Las Vegas vacations were a family tradition, culminating with three very special trips in Bruce’s final months.

Bruce was a collector. His home was filled with Leroy Neiman paintings, Hotei and Buddha statues, rare coins, and political buttons from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. He collected books, autographs and tequila bottles. His baseball card collection was second to none. But his most prized collection was the hundreds of friends he accumulated through the years. Rest assured he loved every trip, every round of golf, every meal, every shot of tequila, every cigar (some poker hands!), and he truly loved every one of you.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Carol. He is survived by the love of his life, Dana; his three lucky children who will always remember to pay it forward: Amy (and Peter) Shaper, Richard (and Katie) Hendin and Courtney (and David) Newman; his nine grandchildren: Jake, Riley and Ben Shaper, Taylor, Jacob, Logan and Isabel Newman, and Hayes and Sadie Hendin; and his memory that will last forever in all who knew him.

A memorial service will be held Sunday June 1, 2025 at 10:30 AM at Temple Beth El, 211 Belknap Place, San Antonio, Texas 78212. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family and celebrate Bruce at a reception at the Temple.

Contributions honoring Bruce’s memory may be directed to Bruce Hendin Health and Fitness Day, Inc. 526 Berwick Town, San Antonio, Texas 78249; Thrivewell Cancer Foundation; or a charity of your choosing.