Matthew J. Chalek
December 16, 1959 - June 29, 2024
Matthew J. Chalek, beloved husband of Carmen, and loving father of Adam and Khloe, died peacefully at his home in Greenwood Village, Colorado, on June 29, 2024, after losing his hard-fought battle with kidney cancer.
Growing up in Forest Hills, New York, Matt attended Stuyvesant High School, where he excelled not only academically, but also musically, playing drums in several school ensembles and with the New York All City Band at Carnegie Hall. Upon graduation, Matt moved to Massachusetts to study biomedical engineering at Boston University. After completing his four years at BU, he then headed to California and a job in the aerospace industry. Matt loved California but a few years later he returned to the East Coast to earn his MBA in Marketing at Pennsylvania's prestigious Wharton School. An extremely creative and hard-working entrepreneur, Matt was happiest working for himself, developing and running a variety of small businesses from home.
Anyone who truly knew Matt knew that his two greatest passions in life were his family and golf. With a father, uncle, and grandfather who revered the game, Matt was immersed in the world of golf at a very young age. While at Wharton, he became close to others who shared his love of golf. Together, these friends formed a lifelong bond. Before graduating and parting ways, Matt proposed an organized golf trip, which became a yearly event and provided the group with almost four decades of competitive fun. Nothing, however, gave Matt more pleasure than to be teeing up alongside his Adam. Their time spent together on the golf course was priceless. As a member of the Inverness Golf Club, Matt played frequently with the wonderful friends that he made there...and when he could no longer play due to the debilitating effects of the cancer, he would happily ride around the course with his buddies. His easy-going manner, dry sense of humor, and fun-loving spirit endeared him to all he met, on the links and off.
Matt was a kind, loving, and supportive husband to Carmen for 37 years. But it was his role as "Dad" that really made his heart soar. Working from home allowed him to be very active and involved in Adam and Khloe's lives. He was not only their parent and role model, he was also their best friend and most enthusiastic cheerleader. He will be greatly missed.
Matt faced cancer with fierce determination and optimism. He fought valiantly through a variety of treatments and operations that failed to stem the spread of this rampaging disease. Despite the many difficulties and disappointments that he faced, Matt pushed himself to live life to the fullest, making sure that he spent the time he had left with loved ones and good friends. Their support through visits, phone calls, letters, texts, and prayers did much to brighten his days. Knowing how many lives he touched ultimately brought him incredible peace and joy at the end.
Matt is survived by his wife, Carmen Delgado Chalek; his children Adam Chalek, M.D., and Khloe Chalek; and his cousin, Rhonda Chalek Greenberg.
Matt now lives in our hearts and will be forever loved.
The family would like to express their thanks to Matt's medical team at the Rocky Mountain Cancer Center for their efforts, kindness, and friendship during the past year.
Donations
Friends wanting to make a charitable donation in Matt’s name may do so to an organization of their choosing or to The Kidney Cancer Association.
