Mike Chaet, the “Club Doc,” Passes Away
Posted: July 28, 2021 in Other News
Mike Chaet
In Norm’s Notes for August 2021, Club Insider reported on the passing of Mike “Club Doc” Chaet. Included were comments from Daron Allen, and we have since received comments from John McCarthy. Read on for both of those comments. We wish Mike’s widow, Mary, all the best as she works through this tough time. May Mike Chaet Rest In Peace.
The following message was passed on by Daron Allen of VFPnext:
“It is with heavy hearts that we share with you that the Chaets’ have lost a husband, father and grandfather and that CMS and the health club industry have lost a legend, mentor and friend. MIKE, aka ‘The Clubdoc,’ CHAET left us this morning. We know that he lives on in the love, books, systems and wisdom he shared. The family would like you to know that the messages you sent in the last few days were ‘priceless’ to them. In the upcoming days, the family will be closing the ‘loops’ that come at a time like this. If we could continue to filter messages and support through Nona, she will make sure that they get to the family in an effort to help manage what is an overwhelming time for them. Peace and love to you all!”
The following letter was written to Mike Chaet’s widow, Mary Chaet, by John McCarthy, IHRSA’s highly esteemed, former 25-year Executive Director.
Dear Mary,
In the last few days I’ve heard from many of your and Mike’s friends about Mike’s passing which was a sad shock to me as it was to so many of us who were his long-standing friends.
It made me think back now over 40 years when Mike and I and you travelled together to host meetings in NYC, Boston, Baltimore and Philadelphia which were then joint CMS and IHRSA meetings in those four towns..
CMS and IHRSA grew up together in those early years, and we both advanced together – Mike, with his consulting and meeting businesses , and me with the association business – and both of us were wonderfully successful together…
Mike was that kind of a ‘once a friend, always a friend’ guy whom I always loved, admired and respected no matter how broadly and widely our paths diverged.
Nor have I ever known anyone who was more helpful and supportive to more club managers and club owners than Mike, and who was as admired overseas as much as he was here in the U.S.
What a beautiful and wonderful team you and Mike were, and I can honestly tell you that there was never a single time when I was with Mike that he did not find some way to tell us, his friends, how dear and important you were to him and to his work…..In that respect, as in so many others, he was exceptional…in the way that he always acknowledged your importance to him, personally and professionally.
I’ve. been retired now for almost 15 years – years when I rarely saw Mike, but he was always someone whom I have held in the highest respect, regard, and love.
I don’t think that I ever met with Mike when he didn’t refer to you, Mary, as his closest, most loved, most admired and most cherished colleague..….Among all my friends in this business, he was unique in that way….in the way that he always acknowledged and admired your presence in his life…..You were present to him and with him always….and among the thousands of guys I’ve known, Mike was unique in that way.
Mary, we, Mike’s friends, have lost someone who was always precious to us as he was – in a far more profound sense – to you.
Warmly,
Mike’s Friend,
John McCarthy
