Sad News: RIP Chuck Gehman

Monday, August 10, 2020

Press release from the issuing company

We are saddened to report the passing of long-time industry innovator, supporter, and friend to many of us. According to his wife, Jamie Budge Gehman, Chuck passed away following a valiant battle with a rare esophageal cancer. She said, “What helped propel him was to not to focus on his diagnosis, rather to embrace the beauty of everyday life. Spending time with his loved ones, working on his book, going to Crossfit when he could, doing his daily Starbucks run, logging in a full day’s work from his home office, keeping up with personal community commitments, watching right wing news with his cat, and so many more simple daily pleasures were things that brought him normalcy and comfort during his fight.”

Following a stint at Agfa, Chuck launched off on an independent career with the founding of Irongate Networks, an e-commerce company. He joined Digital Art Exchange, Inc. (DAX) to build out the company’s Internet and application services to the graphic communications industry. He joined Printable in 2000 as CTO. It was in the heydays of the Internet bubble, and he saw the opportunities presented by the emerging field of web-to-print very early on.

While at DAX he was involved with the launch of PrintPlanet, a unique discussion board focused on the printing industry. PrintPlanet and WhatTheyThink cooperated heavily in those early years to provide real-time information and peer-to-peer collaboration to the printing industry.

His contributions to the industry are too numerous to recap here, but he also did stints at EFI, Mimeo, Taylor Communications (Standard Register) and WAND Corporation. At the time of his passing, he was Technical Marketing Engineer at Perforce Software, following his passion of bringing innovative technology to market, participating in customer-facing technical activities and communication, helping sales translate the technology into understandable customer benefits, and much more.

His ready smile, can-do attitude, and innovative spirit will be missed by his many, many friends within and outside the industry. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Jamie and his daughters in this difficult time.

Discussion

By Eric Vessels on Aug 10, 2020

Chuck was one of the smartest people I ever met - in or out of the industry. He was a big idea guy and I'd always run my big ideas by him. I will remember several dinners, his big smile, and great sense of humor. I'm still in a bit of shock that he's gone so soon. I'll miss him greatly.

By David L. Zwang on Aug 10, 2020

Indeed is sad news... In the many decades I knew Chuck he was a fun spirited guy always looking to find new things to help move the industry along.. he will be missed.

By Frank Romano on Aug 10, 2020

Chuck was a credit to our industry and he will be missed. He truly made a difference.

By Alan Darling on Aug 10, 2020

I was so sorry to hear of Chuck’s passing. His enthusiasm was infectious and he was a true pioneer in several aspects of our industry. He will be sorely missed.

By Craig Kevghas on Aug 10, 2020

Party in Paradise my friend... Chuck was a friend to so many. Brilliant in his own right, yet fully anxious to explain the unexplainable. May God bless his loved ones. I am indeed sad to learn that he graduated so early in life. He will be missed.

By Patrick Whelan on Aug 10, 2020

I'm very saddened to hear this news. I had the pleasure of knowing Chuck for 25 years and aside from his brilliance, I shared many laughs with him. Particularly at the many industry events where we would reconnect after he had left Boston. He was a great friend and contributor to the print industry.

By Jennifer Matt on Aug 10, 2020

Chuck was my first boss at EFI. I was a terribly hard person to "manage". I'm absolutely sure I drove Chuck crazy. We didn't agree on much and yet we did have a very productive relationship and friendship. I can't count the number of times we talked strategy while in line at Starbucks (he taught me how to drink quad expressos - that alone made me a much more productive employee). I missed him when he left the print industry. His presence was always felt at industry events. He was really fun to be around. Rest in peace Chuck.

By David Smith on Aug 10, 2020

Chuck was a friend, mentor and a true visionary/leader in the transformation of print. I will miss our annual lunch and chance to spitball ideas. We loved to talk food, fun and of course graphic arts. Since bringing him onto the tech committee for Dscoop almost 15 years ago, I always felt he was the person who could best describe the beneficial blend of technology and value add. When he moved on from the GA world we would still talk about the next adventure and it was always enjoyable and informative. Very sad to hear this news, RIP Chuck - Godspeed to your family.

By Ron Gilboa on Aug 10, 2020

Rest In Peace.
True industry maven , innovator, and thought leader!

By David Lewis on Aug 10, 2020

A true leader and visionary! You will be greatly missed by all of us who had the pleasure of knowing you over the many years of your career.

By Deanna Gentile on Aug 10, 2020

Hard to believe ... I first met Chuck in the 70's when he was in Boston and we met at the R&E Council ... then he was in San Diego and then Pittsburgh (where I am) and then Minnesota.. always way ahead of the curve in technology .. the last time we met was in April 2013 at a workflow seminar ... and we had our last scotch together .. and have kept in touch via FB ... He will be very much missed .. this is truly very sad.

By Robert Godwin on Aug 10, 2020

Sad to see him go. Since working together at the earliest days at Printable he proved to be a significant influence on how things should look, feel and work. His stories of DAX and EFI were as revealing as they were entertaining. And yes, Starbucks first on the list everyday.

By Bill McCafferty on Aug 10, 2020

This is difficult news to comprehend. The last time I saw Chuck was at one of the DScoop conferences a few years ago and he never looked better. He had discovered Cross-fit and made some positive lifestyle changes that transformed him from how he was when we worked together at DAX...and while he may have changed physically he was still the same Chuck, always creating, thinking, learning, growing, and most importantly sharing. If he wasn't doing these things he got bored and moved (a lot). He was a truly unique individual that came a long way from barely graduating Beverly Hills High school to influencing and moving the Print industry forward at a time when it really needed some nontraditional geek like work flow guidance to advance. It was a privilege to have known him-he made the world a better place. He will be greatly missed. All the best to the Gehman family.

By Brian Regan on Aug 11, 2020

Very sad when I learned of Chucks passing. He brought energy and passion into the things he delivered. Our FaceBook debates were many and often. Our shared love for Spartan Races never quite saw us together to do one. Guess we will have to wait until I join him to get one done. RIP my friend.

By Frank Mallozzi on Aug 12, 2020

So sad to hear about Chuck passing. I am one of those fortunate people who had the pleasure of working with him at EFI. His enthusiasm, insight and thought leadership was so inspirational to me. Will miss the many genuine conversations we had about the biz and life. RIP my colleague and friend.

By Stephen Bennett on Aug 14, 2020

God bless you Chuck. We never met in person but conversed online. You will be missed.

Discussion

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