Dr. Hank Payne

Some years ago, my long-time friend and colleague, Chris Schroder, contacted me to see if I could shoot and edit a five-minute video in four days, with four different shooting locations.

“Of course,” I replied, with tongue planted firmly in cheek.

We were to shoot two of Atlanta’s prominent residents, with one introducing the other. Tom Murphy, owner of the very popular Murphy’s Restaurant in Virginia-Highland, was to introduce Dr. Hank Payne, the president at Woodward Academy, the largest private institution in the United States.

I knew Tom, and I knew we’d have plenty of laughs with him. But the president of a huge, private school? Dr. Payne, or Hank as he preferred, was a surprise from the first moment. One of those rare individuals who has you all busting up within minutes after meeting him. He fell into his acting character like a natural.

The video (link below) — even though rushed and a bit unpolished — was a huge hit for both Tom and Hank. We all had a great time making it.

BUT WHY?

Sadly, there was something about Hank Payne that he kept very close to himself. Because this devoted family man, active in the community and his Temple, ended his life earlier this week, placing all who knew him in a complete state of shock.

Just hours before he took his life, he headed a huge rally at Woodward, with all the motivation and excitement people came to expect from him. But apparently no one has any idea what drove this very special man to end his life. Hank Payne is now at peace.

Hank Payne’s Video Introduction

Godspeed my friend.