Rich Hein (1954-2025)
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Photographer Rich Hein passed away unexpectedly on January 19 at the age of 70. He photographed the city and its performing arts scene for nearly half a century, taking thousands of images that captured the human condition, first for suburban newspapers, then for 40 years on staff at the Chicago Sun-Times, ultimately becoming its photo editor.
“He was an all-around photographer, he could do anything,” remembered John H. White, who won a Pulitzer Prize at the Sun-Times. “He could do any kind of news. I always called him ‘The Professor’ because he was a teacher; he’d explain things. He was a great photographer, a great educator.” Rich took great pleasure in mentoring younger photographers. Per Ashlee Rezin, the Sun-Times’ current photo editor, “He was the quiet, calming, level-headed backbone of the photo department.” Away from the Sun-Times, Rich was a fixture on the Chicago theater scene, shooting publicity stills of stage productions for theaters like the Goodman, Chicago Shakespeare, and Lookingglass, among many others. “He was a wonderful, wonderful guy, beloved in our community,” said Robert Falls, the former artistic director of the Goodman Theatre. “One of Rich’s great gifts was the ability to almost know what was coming up. He was there at the right moment, from the right angle, and did this all quietly.” Per critic Hedy Weiss, “An extremely modest but intensely focused man, Hein was a master of capturing a notable moment of emotional intensity. And he tapped into the energy of formidable movers and shows’ professional dancers as if he were moving with them. And he never ‘staged’ a photo, but rather caught a moment of action, interaction or dead silence with what might very well be described as the intuition of a director or choreographer.” Richard Hein was born in Chicago. He went to Western Illinois University for a year and then, after the death of his father, transferred to Northern Illinois University, where he graduated in 1977. His first job was at the Star, then at the Southtown Economist. In 1981, he married Amy Denbroeder, whom he had met at Elk Grove High School. Hein used his daughter’s first two names — Liz Lauren — as his professional moniker when taking theatrical photos. In addition to his wife Amy Hein, and daughter Liz Lauren Hein Murray, Hein is survived by his son-in-law Nolan Hein Murray, brother Don Hein and sister-in-law Terry Hein. “His job was to be invisible, but his art was to communicate human nature in its rawest form,” said Barbara Gaines, founder and former artistic director of Chicago Shakespeare Theater. “In the dark — patiently waiting for that split second of seeing through the truth of souls onstage. Rich was an artist. And if this weren’t enough — he was the kindest, sweetest man who loved his family and our theater community with all his generous heart. He was one of a kind.” With thanks to the Chicago Sun-Times and WTTW for added content. |