Chuck Lauer, Rest in Peace: 11 thoughts on a legend

1. Chuck Lauer was a legend in the healthcare arena. He passed away Sunday, April 30, after a battle with leukemia.

2. He was the long-term publisher of Modern Healthcare who grew that magazine into greatness.

3. Chuck was a friend to all. An introduction from Chuck Lauer was the golden pass to business relationships.

4. He gave tirelessly of his time and prodigious energy to everyone and everything, including most of all his family — his wife, Maggie, his children and his grandkids.

5. Chuck was someone who mentored so many people. He was a long time unpaid mentor to myself and Becker's Healthcare until we literally forced him to take a pay check. He was always looking to help more.

6. His advice transcended generations and crossed the paths from editorial to sales to healthcare leadership of all sorts.

7. Chuck tried to retire a few years back. That didn't work out well, and he rebounded to business interests and community work.

8. He was a legend and a friend. As I watched Chuck work and relate to people into his 80s, I often thought, "My God, I want to be Chuck Lauer when I grow up."

9. Chuck wrote many books and probably thousands of articles. (Here are just a few.)

10. He loved his sports and his kids' sports. He played ice hockey into his early 70s.

11. Chuck is a legend, and we will miss him greatly.