The business world got the heartbreaking news this week: Bob Hendrickson, the longtime executive whose steady leadership helped shape Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) into one of America’s pre-eminent wine and spirits distributors, has died unexpectedly. His passing has drawn deep sorrow across the Texas business community and the national beverage industry alike.
Hendrickson’s career was rooted in the fundamentals: starting in sales, developing relationships, and building trust. He launched his journey at E. & J. Gallo Winery in Los Angeles, where for four years he sharpened his skills in sales and marketing. From there, he moved to the then-Julius Schepps Company and spent a decade as Vice President of Sales and Marketing, gaining a deep understanding of business operations and the power of human connection in commerce.
In 1997 Hendrickson played a pivotal role in stitching together Tarrant Company and Julius Schepps Company into what became Republic Beverage Company. That merger laid the groundwork for the 2006 union of Republic Beverage and National Distributing Company — forging RNDC. Hendrickson didn’t just observe the transformation; he helped lead it from within, becoming a key figure in the company’s executive ranks as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President.
In 2025, the company announced Hendrickson would assume the role of CEO and President, recognising the long arc of his experience and leadership. Under his leadership, RNDC broadened its national footprint, modernised operations and reinforced its reputation for integrity, teamwork and innovation. Beyond his corporate role, he served on the board of the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, contributing to industry-wide standards and policy discussion.
Colleagues remember Hendrickson as more than a corporate executive. He was a mentor, someone who valued relationships as much as results. A graduate of San Diego State University with a degree in Business Management, he was described by peers as humble, approachable and committed to the long game — the kind of leader who believed that people mattered.
The void left by his passing is profound. For RNDC, the loss of a leader who helped build the business from its early days into a national force is irreplaceable. For the broader wine and spirits industry, it’s the departure of a figure whose calm determination and forward-thinking helped guide many through turbulent times. The ripple effect is already being felt as the industry reflects on the legacy of someone who quietly made a big difference.
As the news spreads, there will inevitably be questions about what comes next: how RNDC adapts, who steps into the leadership void, and how the industry continues to evolve in an era of shifting consumer behaviour and distribution challenges. But amid all that, what remains clear is this: Bob Hendrickson’s legacy is not just in what he built, but how he built it — with integrity, people-first values, and an eye for the future.
In an industry where the spotlight often focuses on brands and product trends, Hendrickson reminded everyone that culture, leadership and human connection still matter. His story is, at its heart, the story of what happens when someone invests in people and in purpose, with no immediate payoff but a lasting influence. And for many in the wine and spirits world, his influence will live on.