Evansvile, IN
Mike was killed in a motorcycle accident last night,and I
always considered Mike to be one of the good guys in this
hobby.I know he always did quality work for myself and others on this site Will miss you Mike
(Topic ID: 159033)
Wow, my thoughts and prayers go out to his family. He was a fantastic and valuable asset to this hobby, he will be sorely missed.
Died doing something he loved. My condolences to his family & friends.
When I die I hope it's on my bike.
Mike was a good friend of mine. We just drove to Texas and back together to go to TPF. I'm really going to miss him.
Holy crap. Didn't know him, but knew of his work beautifying many machines. Very sad. Praying for his family and friends.
What horrible news, My sincere condolences to his family and friends. Mike was a huge asset to the hobby. As a life long biker, this really hits home for all of us that participate in both hobbies. A tremendous loss...so sad.
Mike left a legacy of many beautiful games across the country. I'm sad to hear that his life was cut short.
Orleans, ON
I haven't met Mike but I know he was a huge asset to the pinball community and his plating work was second to none. My condolences to his friends and family.
Jesus. In my limited dealings with him, I found him to be as nice of a guy as they come. Heartbroken for his family and friends.
I found out last night, but didn't want to post anything.
I've known Mike for 12 years or so and met him through this hobby and I certainly consider him a good friend. Mike has not only helped me with my game repair, but also was willing to mentor me through a play field swap at his shop and fielded a lot of questions and offered a lot of advice over the years. Mike and I took a road trip or two and bought numerous pinball machines to bring back and fix up. Mike will be missed.
My hesitancy in posting last night is I imagine Mike was in the process of plating items for several fellow hobbyist. I wanted to talk with his Dad first and see if he would like some assistance in sorting out status of orders and trying to get everything back to everyone.
Mike was always working on something, so there will be a few due-outs. Please for the sake of Mike's family, have a little patience and give them their space to grieve.
Rest In Peace Brother. Mike - I pray that God will welcome you into his Kingdom and help to heal your parent's broken hearts.
Bob
Mike did amazing work and was invaluable to the pinball community. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
a very sad day indeed. thoughts and prayers go out to his family and close friends
I never got around to doing any business with him, but 'mike chestnut' was synonymous with "chrome plating". he will be sorely missed
Wow, what horrible news. Mike was always a pleasure to do business with, and in all my interactions with him, he always came across as a really good guy. I'm going to treasure all the wire forms and other items in my machines that I got from Mike. May he rest in peace. My sincere heartfelt condolences go out to all his family, friends, and customers. The world needs more guys like Mike Chestnut!!!!
Sana'a
Quoted from Bobby:
I found out last night, but didn't want to post anything.
I've known Mike for 12 years or so and met him through this hobby and I certainly consider him a good friend. Mike has not only helped me with my game repair, but also was willing to mentor me through a play field swap at his shop and fielded a lot of questions and offered a lot of advice over the years. Mike and I took a road trip or two and bought numerous pinball machines to bring back and fix up. Mike will be missed.
My hesitancy in posting last night is I imagine Mike was in the process of plating items for several fellow hobbyist. I wanted to talk with his Dad first and see if he would like some assistance in sorting out status of orders and trying to get everything back to everyone.
Mike was always working on something, so there will be a few due-outs. Please for the sake of Mike's family, have a little patience and give them their space to grieve.
Rest In Peace Brother. Mike - I pray that God will welcome you into his Kingdom and help to heal your parent's broken hearts.
Bob
Good point. Make sure the word gets out for people to give the family time to sort out his affairs. When someone is sick there is more time to prepare and for a person to get their affairs in order and still it is still big when it happens. Something like this is such a shock.
Rest In Peace.
Edit: New thread for the family - https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/mike-chestnut-from-his-family-1
This is very sad news for everyone who knew Mike. The majority of my pinball collection has trim that was chromed by Mike. Mike was always very easy to work with and he did beautiful work. He will be greatly missed.
Gord
Saddened to read this. I've been in the hobby for less than a year and that's been long enough to see and hear about all of his great work and what a great guy he was. My condolences to his friends and family.
Mike did work for me in the past, as he has for many people on here. When I was at TPF, I annoyed Bryan Kelly and Kerry Stair so that they could point him out for me. When I met him, I thanked him for the incredible work he did for me...and I'm glad I was able to do that. He told me he didn't wear his nametag at the show because people would talk to him while taking a piss in the bathroom and start asking him to do work for them while he was trying to finish his business. THAT'S how good he was - people would even interrupt his piss to get him to do work for them. Rest in peace, Mike...your memory lives on in the work you did on my IJ, and I'll think of you every time I look at it. I'm so thankful to have met you! 
His beautiful work will live on in many games. He will be missed.
RIP.
EDIT - link to other thread with message from his family - https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/mike-chestnut-from-his-family-1
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