The Industry’s Best Friend, “Uncle” Rick Caro Passes Away
Posted: September 2, 2025 in Other News
Norm Cates and Rick Caro
Founder’s Note: On Sunday, August 31, 2025, I received the extremely SAD and incredibly BAD news that RICK CARO, my friend of 50+ years, and a Co-Founder of IRSA (then IHRSA and now HFA) with me and five others, has passed away. For many years now, Justin and I have called him “UNCLE” RICK. And, I’ve always referred to Rick as our Industry’s Best Friend.
The following announcement from the HFA was sent out, and I quote the HFA words verbatim: “With deep sorrow, the Health & Fitness Association shares the news about the passing of Rick Caro, President of Management Vision, and one of the Association’s founders, who left us on August 30. Rick was a pioneer, a mentor, a visionary and a tireless advocate for our industry and the people within it. His influence shaped generations of leaders, and his legacy will continue to inspire us all. This past March, Rick was honored as part of the inaugural class of the HFA Hall of Fame, a fitting tribute to a life dedicated to advancing the industry, championing its credibility, and building a strong professional community. In the days ahead, we will share additional reflections about Rick and details about a funeral service. Please keep his beloved wife Sue, his family, and the many friends and colleagues who were touched by his generosity and wisdom in your thoughts and prayers.”
MAY “UNCLE” RICK CARO REST IN ETERNAL PEACE.
Publisher’s Note: In preparation for our September 2025 Edition of Club Insider, which will be produced in memory of “Uncle” Rick Caro, we invite you to share a comment about his passing. Whether it is a well wish, a funny story, a lesson learned, it would be our honor to share it with our readers and lock it into the history of our industry for all time. Please email Justin Cates at Justin@clubinsideronline.com.
From our friends at HFA:
Remembering Rick Caro
Founder, financial expert, trusted advisor, mentor, author, long-time friend—these are just some of the ways industry professionals describe Rick Caro.
Caro was a pioneer, a visionary, and a tireless advocate for the health and fitness industry and the people within it. His influence shaped generations of leaders, and his legacy will continue to inspire those who carry his mission forward.
Caro passed away unexpectedly on August 30 in New York at the age of 79.
“Rick was not only a visionary leader but also a dear friend and mentor to me,” said Liz Clark, president and CEO of the Health & Fitness Association. “From the moment I became CEO, Rick was there with encouragement, wisdom, and steady guidance. I am deeply grateful for the time, care, and perspective he shared with me. His generosity of spirit and unwavering commitment to helping others succeed left an indelible mark on my life and on the lives of so many in our industry. We will miss him dearly, but his legacy will live on in the institutions he built and the leaders he inspired.”
In recognition of his role as a visionary leader with a passion for making others better, Caro was awarded the first-ever HFA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013.
This past March, he was an inductee in the inaugural class of the HFA Hall of Fame—a fitting tribute to a life dedicated to advancing the industry, championing its credibility, and building a strong professional community. Watch the video tribute.
Caro’s influence on the health and fitness industry cannot be overstated. In 1973, after he had earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Tufts University, an MBA with distinction from New York University (where he also served as assistant dean and faculty member) and spent time at an advertising agency and New York Youth Services Agency, he and two friends began operating tennis clubs, adding racquetball courts, weight rooms, a pool, aerobic rooms, and snack bars at a time when multisport facilities were uncommon.
In 1982 while serving on the boards of the National Tennis Association and National Court Clubs Association for racquetball clubs, he suggested that the two associations combine. The result was the founding of the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), now the Health & Fitness Association. Caro was instrumental in the appointment of John McCarthy as the association’s first executive director, and he served as its second board president, helping to lay the foundation for its long-term success.
In 1983, Caro began consulting in the industry. As president of Management Vision, he was a trusted advisor to more than 1,700 clubs, suppliers, and organizations, playing a pivotal role in shaping the professionalism and credibility of the industry.
Caro’s commitment went far beyond individual businesses. He worked tirelessly to strengthen the industry as a whole. He brought the fitness sector to the attention of Wall Street, educating financial institutions about its structure and potential. His efforts opened doors for club operators to access capital and helped attract meaningful investment, transforming the industry’s growth trajectory.
A prolific speaker at industry events and author in industry publications, Caro also wrote The Guide to Successful Power Facility Management. He led groundbreaking studies on club performance, and mentored generations of owners, operators, and executives. His unwavering belief in data-driven decision-making and his advocacy for high standards continue to shape the industry today. His legacy lives on in the countless professionals he inspired and the institutions he helped build.
Some of those whose lives Caro touched have shared their remembrances of him on social media.
“He was an industry giant, trusted colleague, but perhaps most importantly for me, a true friend who would always make time,” wrote Al Noshirvani, managing partner, ALTA Technology Group and vice chair of the HFA board of directors.
“It’s not overstating it to say this man was a founding father of our industry, a genuine mentor to many. I have nothing but respect and appreciation for this man,” wrote Emmett Williams, managing director APAC, ABC Fitness.
“Rick had all the time in the world for the people who cared about the industry the way he did,” wrote Row House co-founder Debra Strougo. “He was so devoted and so gracious with his expertise through the years.”
“Rick was one of the true greats of our industry,” wrote Alan Leach, CEO at West Wood Club. “Over the past 35 years, whenever I met him at conferences, he was always so open, generous with his knowledge, and genuinely kind. He always asked me about Ireland, which showed the personal warmth behind his professional brilliance. He was an absolute gentleman and a legend whose influence will live on in all of us he inspired.”
“Rick was the leading fitness mind and consultant in the world, sharing his knowledge with literally hundreds of thousands of fitness professionals at the annual international convention as well as his writings, webinars, roundtables, IHRSA Institute, etc.,” wrote Jim Worthington, owner of Newtown Athletic Club. “It is truly hard to believe and imagine our industry without Rick Caro, an icon who gave so much and was loved by all who knew him.”
“Rick was always thoughtful, generous with his time, and willing to teach, share, and guide,” wrote HFA board member Maria Gonzalez, CEO of ClubFitness Greensboro. “A true pioneer and mentor whose impact on our industry will be felt for generations.”
Colleagues and loved ones are drawing comfort in the fact that Caro spent his final hours attending the US Open Tennis Championships. According to Matthew Stevens, president and CEO of The Bay Club Company, where Caro served as a board member, the US Open was “probably his most favorite place on earth.”
The Health & Fitness Association will honor Caro’s remarkable contributions in the near future and will share details as plans for a memorial service or celebration of his life become available.
Caro is survived by wife Sue, siblings, and nieces and nephews plus many industry friends and colleagues who were fortunate to know him.
The industry has lost one of its greatest champions, but his lifelong dedication to its growth and advancement ensures his legacy will continue to guide and inspire generations to come.
