Like many of the accomplished people from Roseville High School, Dr. Bradley R. Hennenfent, MD, was a fan and student of Stephen A. Mill. Mr. Mills was always teaching and Dr. Brad was always interested in learning. Because Steve was an uncle to Dr. Brad, Dr. Brad had early access to a great science teacher. At an early age, Uncle Steve was teaching Dr. Brad and all his nieces and nephews about the slide rule, the periodic table, and all things science. Dr. Brad was a sponge. He never stopped learning.
Dr. Brad was blessed with many great friends from his days at Roseville High School – Joe Simonson, Mark Boulware, Dan Pettinger, Chuck Grant and many others too numerous to mention. These gentlemen also enjoyed science and knowledge at a young age.
Dr. Brad was also one of the “Hennenfent Basketball Players”, a sport that he enjoyed with his brothers, sister, nieces, and nephews for many years. In his youth, he was often seen at basketball courts – indoor and outdoor – around Warren County, with his brothers and basketball friends from around the area. His nephew recalls how, when in home from college one summer, he and a college friend challenged Dr. Brad to a game of 21. Dr. Brad “schooled” them.
Dr. Brad graduated from Northwestern University, attended medical school at the University of Illinois, and did his residency in Emergency Medicine at the University of Illinois Affiliated Hospitals Emergency Medicine Residency Program. He worked as an emergency room physician in Chicago for many years.
He lived on Printer’s Row in Chicago. He delighted in visits from his family and taking them to eat Thai and Eduardo’s Pizza.
Dr. Brad knew the names of everyone who worked in his building and many of his neighbors on his floor. He did not just walk down the hall or out of his building. He greeted everyone by name and they responded in kind. Traversing the building and parking lot was a conversation.
He invited his family to attend “The World’s Greatest Hospital Party”, which was a night many still remember. Dr. Brad helped organized this event to raise money for charity.
During his medical career, Dr. Brad delivered over forty-five lectures at various hospitals on topics such as cervical spine injuries, cardiac life support and advance trauma life support.
In 1989, Dr. Brad was hit head on by a drunk driver and developed health problems. He was disabled and stopped practicing medicine. Dr. Brad wanted to be a great doctor and change the world. Much of his dream was taken away from him by the accident and his health issues. But it never stopped him from trying to excel at whatever he was doing. He always wanted to do things perfectly.
Even though no longer practicing medicine, he and his father, Mike, co-founded the Prostatitis Foundation to help men suffering urinary problems and prostate cancer. He wrote several books on medicine such as The Prostatitis Syndromes to help those who suffered from prostate and other urinary problems. The second edition of this book was published in 2022.
He loved his nieces and nephews and always encouraged them to learn. He provided every household in the family with a microscope. He was always reading and had a collection of books that filled the little house at the farm. He challenged all his family to explore language and learn new words. He was an accomplished speaker and writer.
He wrote the book, Uncles and Etymology to teach children to love science, big words and reading. “Sesquipedalian” anyone?
He liked to have fun too. He bought an arcade style mini-basketball hoop so that all the kids – young and old – would be able to shoot baskets in the upstairs corner bedroom of the farm house.
Dr. Brad eventually moved to Florida because the harsh Illinois winters were not good for his health. For several years, his parents, Mike and Betty, spent winters in Florida with Dr. Brad.
Over the years, Dr. Brad kept in contact with many of his high school, college, and medical school friends, all of whom brought him joy and comfort. He was blessed with many good friends and made new friends wherever he went.
Dr. Brad loved his family. He was a great friend and supporter of all his family. He was always there to help. He always appreciated what others did for him.
Just like his Uncle Steve, he passed on the joy of learning to younger generations.
Despite his illness, he was kind and encouraged many, many people who considered him a source of inspiration. His greatest legacy is the many people he helped, encouraged, and inspired over the years.
Just shy of his 67th year, Dr. Brad died at his home in Sebring, Florida, on April 5, 2025. His body continued to decline and the pain finally took its toll. He was born on May 5, 1958. Arrangements were entrusted to Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home in Sebring, Florida.
He is survived by his father, Michael R. Hennenfent, his brothers, George (Janelle), Frank (Jan), Nick, and Stephen (Judy) and his sister Nancy Cruse. His nieces and nephews are Laurel (Craig) Bingaman, Nathan Hennenfent, Andrew (Jayme) Hennenfent, Douglas Hennenfent, Jessica (Sean Cunningham) Maddox, Alex (John) Klein, Kendra (Hulee Heck) Cruse, Michaela Cruse, Charles Cruse, Eric Hennenfent and Maureen Hennenfent. His great nieces are Emily and Allison Bingaman and Aidy Hennenfent. He is also survived by many cousins who are descendants of Frank and Loretto Hennenfent and Ed and Katherine Gillen.
Dr. Brad’s mother, Betty, died before him in August of 2019. Two nephews, Brandon Cruse and Adam Cruse, died before him as did his brother-in-law, Tom Cruse.
On Sunday May 4, 2025, there will be a celebration of the life of Dr. Bradley R. Hennenfent at the Roseville Community Center at 265 West Penn, Roseville IL from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. At 1:00 pm there will be a prayer and brief remembrances of Brad will be shared until about 1:20 pm. Afterwards, the family will be present to share stories and greetings with family and friends until 4:00 pm.
If you would like to donate to a charity in honor of Bradley, the family requests that you make the donation directly to the charity of your choice. A donation to any of the things Brad supported would please him.
In case we are not able to do so in person, the family thanks each one of you who has reached out with words of support, stories, and acts of kindness at the death of a family member we dearly love.
