Premium Members WillArnot Posted January 7, 2007 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 7, 2007 Terrible news for those that knew Matt Chubet. Matt died sometime over New Years while on a camping trip. Car camping, he zipped himself up in his Bivvy Sack in his car and must have suffocated during his sleep. Totally crazy. Matt was an interesting cat with a lot of life experience. A Marine, a steel foundry worker, editor, producer, Grip, Steadicam/Camera Operator, and writer. He was always quick w/ a joke and was fun to party with. I helped him pack up his U-Haul in NYC and sent him out West. I always saluted his diligence. He was a good friend in NY, but we hadn't hooked up out here yet. I regret that. You just never know.... I figured, "Oh, there will be time..." Live every day to it's fullest. Put aside your pride. Don't take anything for granted. RIP Matt. You'll be missed. Will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Alec Jarnagin SOC Posted January 7, 2007 Moderators Report Share Posted January 7, 2007 Will, thank you for posting this. I'm in shock, so I'll just bow my head and say I wish I had gotten to know Matt better. We met at a New York gathering years ago and kept in touch occasionally, but he was a fun and highly spirited fella. R.I.P. Matt. EDIT: His web site is still up for those who would like to take a look: http://www.matthewchubet.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Brad Grimmett Posted January 7, 2007 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 7, 2007 Wow, that's really too bad. I didn't know Matt well, but I know he had a good heart. He'll be missed. Thanks for posting Will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Michael Stumpf Posted January 7, 2007 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 7, 2007 Wow, myself. I thought the post was a bad joke at first, but then I saw it was posted by Will and said to myself, "there is no way Will would post a joke like that." I met Matt shortly after he moved to LA to try and establish himself as a steadicam op. He came to a few of the earliest gatherings we held back in 2000/2001. He was certainly an "interesting cat" as Will stated. I have not seen or personally heard from Matt in several years. What a tragedy. It is unbelievable how some things happen. God has better plans for him. All the best to his family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members RonBaldwin Posted January 7, 2007 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 7, 2007 I couldn't believe it when I read it. Matt and I were playing around with rickshaw ideas about 2 years ago, but have been out of touch for a while. He was an interesting guy. This is very sad. Ron B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Christopher T. Paul- SOC Posted January 7, 2007 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 7, 2007 Hey Will, Thanks for the post. I am really stunned. Matt and I PA'd together twenty years ago here in NY. I hadn't seen or heard from him in years... Deepest sympathy to his family and those that knew him well. He was an interesting cat indeed. CP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Richard W. Davis Posted January 7, 2007 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 7, 2007 I too am totally stunned. Like you Ron I have been out of touch for a couple years but was just thinking of him the other day.... meant to give him a call. Sincere condolences to his family. Richard Davis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members BJMcDonnell SOC Posted January 7, 2007 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 7, 2007 Hey Ron, I remember meeting Matt when you guys were talking about the Rickshaw. What horrible news. He seemed to be a really cool guy when I met him. He will be missed. Condolences to his family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Howard J Smith Posted January 8, 2007 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 8, 2007 Hi Guys Very sad news - Both Kelly and I knew him well. Our thoughts are with the family. Howard & Kelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Dan Coplan Posted January 8, 2007 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 8, 2007 I did not know Matt but as a fellow Steadicam operator and SOC member, I'm particularly saddened by this news. Coming from Dave Frederick, the president of the SOC and also a Steadicam operator, we would like to know if there's a memorial service such that we can honor Matt's memory if appropriate. We would also like to know how to contact his family such that we can pass along condolences, again if appropriate. Dan Coplan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KellyHernsdorf Posted January 8, 2007 Report Share Posted January 8, 2007 I feel I must post my sadness and condolences. I am in shock at the loss of a friend. While I was still living in California Matt and I would head out fairly regularly for hikes together, and I would joke that once we got in really, really good shape we should organize our hike to the top of the Santa Monica Mountains into a Steadicam Guild meeting. "Promise?" he would say with a grin. His loss is tragic and he will be sorely missed. Kelly Hernsdorf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members David Allen Grove Posted January 8, 2007 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 8, 2007 I was shocked to read this yesterday.. EDIT: Matt's obituary listing from the LA Times is now included as well as a link to his website on the steadicam guild's memoriam section. http://www.steadicamguild.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Davis Posted January 9, 2007 Report Share Posted January 9, 2007 Terrible news for those that knew Matt Chubet. Matt died sometime over New Years while on a camping trip. Very sad to read of this shockingly unexpected loss of a friend. I always welcomed a visit from Matt, @ the CIT shop or @ my home. Well. FUQUE!! is all I can inarticulately say. My world is lessened..... DAMN! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members WillArnot Posted January 10, 2007 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 Guys & Gals, Please fwd this to everyone. Matt and my mutual friend Justin (we were all grips together in New York) was with Matt on the same camping trip where he died. That is how I found out, Justin called me and told me a day after it happened. Justin is a helicopter pilot and the following day left town for a 2 week rotation, and I won't be able to reach him for another week or so. I am waiting to confirm further details with him and hopefully get contacts for Matt's family. Matt was car camping with a group of people over New Years. He was sleeping by himself in his own car. He apparently zipped himself up in a Bivouac sack. "Bivvy" sacks are designed to be waterproof and windproof and thus less breathable than a sleeping bag. Matt was apparently found in his car, where he had fully sealed himself up in the sack to stay warm. Bivvy sacks are also designed for emergency situations to protect from exposure. ie. not designed for use in confined spaces where fresh air supply is potentially limited - like in a car. Ultimately, the coroner and sheriff's dept. who were called as soon as Matt was discovered late on New Year's morning after everyone was packing up camp, confirmed that Matt essentially suffocated in his sleep. No foul play or self inflicted harm is thought to have occurred at this point. I have been receiving a few phone calls and emails inquiring about further details. I will write more as soon as I get any further information. It is simply a shockingly abrupt end to a colorful life. Matt had issues just as we all do, but also had inspiring ambition to stand out and be original and march to his own drum. It is a tragic end. Will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Ron L Rathbone Posted January 11, 2007 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 Terrible news for those that knew Matt Chubet. Matt died sometime over New Years while on a camping trip. Car camping, he zipped himself up in his Bivvy Sack in his car and must have suffocated during his sleep. Totally crazy. Matt was an interesting cat with a lot of life experience. A Marine, a steel foundry worker, editor, producer, Grip, Steadicam/Camera Operator, and writer. He was always quick w/ a joke and was fun to party with. I helped him pack up his U-Haul in NYC and sent him out West. I always saluted his diligence. He was a good friend in NY, but we hadn't hooked up out here yet. I regret that. You just never know.... I figured, "Oh, there will be time..." Live every day to it's fullest. Put aside your pride. Don't take anything for granted. RIP Matt. You'll be missed. Will Our hearts here are always greifed at the passing of another life. 101% of our client base is always polite to my staff and to myself as well. One of the many perks for being allowed to work with you guys in your industry. As a client Mark was always even more upbeat and full of energy. Always , "No Sweat", and, "Thank you so much" kind of responses and full of energy. Matthew has left us with an admirable footprint. I am sure he is already enjoying the other side. Like everyone else responding... RIP Matthew. Sincerely, Ron Rathbone and Staff. Rathbone Energy, Inc. www.rathboneenergy.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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