Henry Biernacki Obituary

Heartbroken to hear of the passing of my friend Hank Biernacki. We grew up playing sports together and both went on to chase the skies as pilots. Taken too soon. Blue skies and tailwinds, Hank. You´ll be missed.

So sorry to hear of your loss. DID NOT ever get to meet him but knew his Dad. He was a good friend, Prayers for
HENRY S FA ILY



SORRY for his family and. Friends. Did' t get to meet him but knew his dad Nick
From school overseas. Will see if I can find his books.

A call to Sindy on Memorial Day to remember her husband´s father, is when I learned of the devastating news of Hank´s passing. Hank´s grandfather perished on a secret military flight to Vietnam in 1962, never to be found. Hank´s father, Nick, died in 2019 of colon cancer. Nick was a classmate of mine in Nurnberg, Germany in 1958. We later met again in Colorado Springs and Las Vegas, where I met Sindy and and Hank. I don´t believe that I have ever met anyone with as much talent, devotion, and love of life as Hank. Having missed the news of Hank´s passing only today, I am so depressed, but will continue to rely on my prayers and faith in God that Cindy and entire family will be able to cope with Hank´s unexpected turn of events. The loss of Hank is a loss for 170 countries that benefitted by his visits and care for other humans. My prayers for Cindy´ and her family are in earnest and I beg of God to give them strength to get through these difficult times.
Mike Florek
Wasson High School of Class of 1961

Henry! You were such a joy. I´m happy to have known you. May your soul rest in peace my friend knowing you were loved.

The coincidence of meeting you in this life is something I will always be grateful for.
Every time you left Mexico, you told me that souls are always together, no matter where you are. That's how I felt and how I feel you.
When I remember you, my tears turn into smiles as I recall our experiences, your jokes, your toes pinching hard, and us laughing and laughing, haha.
You showed me what your eyes saw in Africa and what you wrote.
You sang Latin music to me in Spanish.
You enjoyed Fonsi's DESPACITO,
Enrrique Iglesias dancing, and more.
So, you didn't leave completely; you stayed in my heart, and I discovered much of who I am while I was with you.
You were in my life, and your mark remains.
Remembering you is synonymous with joy, challenges, strength, discipline, passion, empathy, and love.
HERE YOU ARE, HERE I AM, you're not completely gone.
I grieve for you and I grieve, but... the pain of losing you DOESN'T TAKE AWAY THE JOY OF HAVING HAD YOU IN MY ARMS.
WITH LOVE ...ANGELICA.

I had sent this to Henry. He sent a message saying "this has to be one of the most gorgeous pieces I have read. Thank you for sending this to me. Wow. I´ll send you some photos of where I have been.

I am forever grateful for crossing paths with Henry. He has changed the way I travel and where I travel. Rest in love. A hui hou!

Heartfelt condolences to Sindi Biernacki and extended family of her son. Sindi was fellow coworker for many years when we both worked for the Colorado Division of Employment. She was very proud of her son in his young formative years and I clearly remember meeting him while he played El Paso County Little League baseball against our son. Even then you could tell as an adult he was going to be someone special. May you now find comfort in the many memories and accomplishments he has left behind. May he also now Rest In Eternal Peace and may the Eternal Light Rest on him today and forever more. God Bless "Hank" Biernacki......

One of the greatest blessings in my life was having you as a dear friend, Henry.

From the day we met on January 15, 2009, our friendship blossomed into sixteen years of unforgettable memories, meaningful conversations, and shared milestones. I was deeply honored to be a part of your creative journey-to design the cover and chapter illustrations for your first published book- "No More Heroes", and later to create your personal website (www.theglobalhenry.com), which became a reflection of your unique voice and spirit.

Thank you for generously sharing the world with me through your stories, your lens, and your boundless curiosity. Every photo, every video you sent me-I´ve kept them all like treasures. Though I´ve only set foot in about thirty countries myself, through your eyes I saw corners of the world that many will never reach. And through your journey, I discovered deeper truths about the meaning and beauty of life.

You were one of the rare ones-authentic, bold, and endlessly curious. You lived your life with such vibrancy, courage, and freedom. You inspired me in more ways than I can ever express. I´ll forever hold close the memories of our time together-in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Colorado, and Washington D.C.-and the many tender moments, including your charming attempts to speak to me in Chinese, which never failed to make me smile.

May your free and fearless soul find peace and continue soaring in a world beyond this one.

You will live in my heart, always-until we meet again.

I will never forget you my fearless friend. You definitely made the world a better place with your interactions, insight and presence.

Fortunate were those of us who had the pleasure of knowing you. Thank you Henry. Your final lesson to us all: Live each day as if it were our last.

Você foi a pessoa mais especial que eu conheci, orei tanto por sua melhora,mas Deus queria você ao lado dele ,vou lembrar de você pra sempre

Hank was one of the most inspiring individuals I have ever encountered, consistently steadfast in his beliefs and ambitions. His unwavering passion for life was truly remarkable, and I gained invaluable insights by observing how he approached each day. A devout believer in God and the church, he profoundly influenced my faith journey. His entrepreneurial spirit and appreciation for diverse cultures will forever be cherished. Rather than sorrowfully reflecting on the loss of a man who has left an enduring legacy, we should celebrate the precious moments we shared with him. Rest in peace, and thank you for everything.

In Loving Memory of "The Global Henry"

My mom, Nancy Reid, and I had the joy of first meeting "The Global Henry" when he was a guest on our podcast, sharing his novel "No More Heroes." That interview sparked not only a great conversation but the beginning of a lasting friendship with Henry, along with his wonderful publicist, Steve Schneickert.

Henry visited us in Tucson, then Southern California, and even joined us on a spontaneous trip to Nogales. Along the way, we filmed video segments with him that captured what he believed in most -stepping outside your comfort zone and embracing life head-on. That was Henry´s way. He encouraged all of us to get out of our comfort zones, show up, be authentic, and live with fearless curiosity.

Our conversations often turned to Africa, where I grew up, and it was beautiful to see Henry eventually make his way to The Motherland. He fell in love with it, just as we had, and brought his passion for travel, discovery, and humanity with him everywhere he went-whether in person, in his writing, or through his media appearances.

Henry was witty, wise, and wonderfully bold. In fact, he loved the words "wondrous" and "brilliant!" His adventurous spirit lives on through his travel stories, his books, and his video channel. His presence is deeply missed, but his message remains clear: Live fully, and never stop exploring.

We put together a playlist of some of our earlier collaborations with Henry:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkMKSIzdC1BVSX1nB9x57ZhGmy3SUM6oh&si=o4yq3hd-CGZo_it-

And here's his inspiring travel channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@GoFurthernFarther

Our hearts go out to Henry´s Mom and family, and to his friends and colleagues around the world.

With love and gratitude,
Lisa D. Smith & Nancy J. Reid

Thank you for being my friend, Henry.......
Thank you for introducing me to Lisa Smith and Nancy Reid of Big Blend Radio. Thank you for introducing me to your kind parents, Nick and Sindy. Thank you for many things, kind sir.

I, vividly, remember the first day that I met you, Henry. It was Thursday, 10 June 2010.......How I remember the day and date, I do not know. It was at the Gunderson High School track. You had recently purchased your new 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. You backed into your parking space, facing forward, away from the other vehicles in the parking lot as to not get your new vehicle hit or scratched.
You arrived at the track before I, and had already begun your sprint around the track. As you finished your lap, I waited and said, "I wish I could do that!" You looked at me with my crutches, and said, "Look at what you ARE doing!"
I nodded and said, "Thank you, enjoy your day." You then replied, "Have a brilliant day!" We had not exchanged names that day. From that moment on, I began working on my abilities and not my disabilities due to our encounter.
Because of your encouragement, I became an editor, a publicist, and returned to performing after a 14 year hiatus due to complications from MS.
I will, always , cherish our 15 year bond.
Again, thank you for being my friend, Henry.......You will be missed and not forgotten. You lived life to the fullest, and on your own terms.......Much respect to you.
Prayers and love to your mom, Sindy.......

Always, fond memories,
Steve

Henry - You are one the greatest humans that I´ve ever met in my travels through Oceania - you lived life to the fullest and stoked we were in Papua New Guinea, PNG at the same time - I wish the world had more people like you - can´t believe it - your friends in Vanuatu send prayers as well

You made a big difference, Henry!!!

I am at a loss. Truly heartbroken. Loved my man. He was one of a kind. He would send pictures to my family of his crazy travels. The kids loved it. I simply cannot comprehend this right now. He was Mr. Invincible.

Absolutely-here´s your original message with that first statement added at the end for a heartfelt finish:



I had the privilege of playing baseball with Hank from the time we were 10 years old all the way through high school. Over those years, I got to know not just Hank, but also Stacy, Trish, and his parents, Nick and Sindy. We spent so much time together growing up, and I can still picture Nick hitting infield while Hank held it down in centerfield. Hank was one of the genuinely good ones-kind, steady, and full of heart. I feel incredibly lucky to have known him during those formative years, and I truly can´t say enough good things about the person he was. Heaven gained someone truly special when Hank passed. His kindness, loyalty, and heart made a lasting impression on everyone lucky enough to know him.

My condolences to the Biernacki family. I met Hank when he was in High School. He was an astounding student and athlete, with a wonderful personality. He will be missed by many.
Richard Valdez, Sr. "Semper Fidelis"

Toutes mes sincères condoléances à ta famille cher Henry. Je garde de toi un merveilleux souvenir lors de ton récent voyage au Gabon. J´ai rencontré une personne formidable. Tu m´as fait la promesse qu´on se verrait de nouveau. Cette nouvelle de ton départ m´attriste au plus haut point. Tu m´as appelé ton copain, aujourd'hui tu n´es plus de ce monde. Je pense à ces oiseaux de couleurs avec lesquels tu me disait voler. Ils étaient de couleurs bleu, violet et encore. Tu vas me manquer. Je t´aime ! À jamais dans mon coeur

What a life well lived , it´s obvious from what others have said he was a great person ,I´m sorry for you loss. RIP!

Rest in Peace Henry.
May the winds west be always in your favor.

I will miss you my Friend but will always keep you in my memory as I explore new places. I wish we had a chance to meet again once more.

It was a pleasure to meet you and get to know you over the last 12 months, I wish we had found time to meet again in person but I always enjoyed our conversations and your travel stories and tips. I will miss the voice notes, stories, pictures and chance at eventually meeting up in future to explore together. Take care my friend you will be missed.

A Heartfelt Memory for Hank:

Hank was the kind of person whose presence could fill a room, whose laughter could lift your spirits, and whose stories could hold you captive for hours. He was a man who lived boldly, unapologetically, and with a sense of adventure that most of us could only dream of having. Hank was a risk taker, a world traveler, an extraordinary mind, and a tough hombre both in wrestling and in life.
From the moment you met Hank, you knew he was different-someone who wasn´t afraid to push boundaries, someone who didn´t just dream but made those dreams a reality. Whether it was living off the grid in far-off corners of the globe, diving headfirst into new experiences, or stepping onto the wrestling mat with that trademark grit and determination, Hank approached life as if it were one grand, thrilling challenge. He didn´t just take risks; he thrived on them, knowing that the best things in life are found just beyond fear.

Hank´s intelligence was just as remarkable as his bravery. He could hold conversations on topics that ranged from the complexities of life to the simplest joys, always with a unique perspective that made you stop and think. Yet, for all his brilliance, he remained humble, the kind of person who made you feel like you mattered, who made time for you no matter how busy or far away his adventures had taken him.

And tough? Oh, Hank wasn´t just tough-he was unshakable. Whether it was wrestling opponents on the mat or wrestling with life´s challenges, he never backed down. He faced adversity head-on, with a strength that inspired everyone around him. But beneath that toughness was a heart as big as the world he explored, one that cared deeply for those he loved.

Hank´s time came too early, far too early for those of us left behind. But if there´s one thing we know about him, it´s that he lived his life to the absolute fullest. He didn´t waste a single moment. He showed us how to live with courage, curiosity, and passion, a reminder that life isn´t about how long we have but what we do with the time we´re given.

Though it´s hard to imagine a world without Hank´s energy, his laughter, and his stories, we take comfort in knowing that he´s in a better place now. And while the ache of his absence will be with us, so too will the countless memories of the incredible person he was.

So here´s to Hank-a man who lived life on his own terms, who inspired us to be bolder, to love harder, and to never stop exploring. We´ll see you again before long, my friend. Until then, keep wrestling with the stars, traveling the heavens, and watching over us from above.

We´ll miss you, Hank, but we´ll carry your spirit with us, always. Rest easy, my friend.

-Mason