Concord, CA
Very sad news. He certainly made his mark on the hobby and will be sorely missed. RIP.
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Quoted from swampfire:
Mike left a legacy of many beautiful games across the country. I'm sad to hear that his life was cut short.
This. Man, almost don't even want to have any games played he did the gorgeous looking armour on now so preserve it... 
The guy's work was simply amazing. Incredibly terrible news for his family
I remember Mike giving out his phone number to Pinsiders which I thought was really cool to contact him at TPF if they had any work they wanted him to do some plating and drop it off there at the show for him. Unfortunately I never met him then or ever as I did not have any plating or anything else that had to be done at the time so to hear this news now is weird and surreal as the show was just a month and a half ago.
The name Mike Chestnut to me was always synonymous with quality chrome or other plating through word of month which is huge, so definitely a loss for the pinball community. My heart goes out to the family as I know first hand what it is like to lose loved ones in a sudden tragedy, including a motorcycle accident.
R.I.P.
Ken
My sincere condolences to your family and friends. I had the pleasure of talking with Mike often...a stand up guy and one whom will be greatly missed. His artistry and craftsmanship of what he did was undeniably the best is the industry. Forever greatful.
I had two games being plated by him and he seemed to be about done. My last email from him was on the 25th. He was always quick to email and was very patient with my questions and general noobness.
This makes me so sad. My thoughts go out to his family and friends. I hope someone posts on how we can pay appropriate tribute to him or send some sort of condolence to his family.
Saying he will be missed is such an understatement.
Wow, such sad news for the community. I only dealt with him one time but he was a class act. RIP Mike.
Toronto, ON
Wow how unfortunate ... I just spoke with him about getting some work done 
. I use to ride and had many close calls and even a really bad accident but ended up ok . I decided that bikes were to dangerous bc people dont pay attention , especially now with all the technology people use while driving and never touched one again since 2009. Prayers go out to his family and friends and he will sorely be missed in the hobby.
Mike was a great guy. Not only was he well known in pinball, he was also very well known in the motorcycle world. I always enjoyed talking with him.
Rest in peace, Mike.
Oh no! I'm so sad, I just received an order from him. Breaks my heart, it's usually never the biker, but those driving around not paying attention.
My thoughts are with his family
I didn't know Mike, but this outpouring is a testament to how much he was loved and will be missed. RIP sir.
My heart sank when I saw this thread.
My condolences to Mike's family. His plating work was top notch. RIP Mike. The pinball community just lost a true talent and a great friend.
So sad to hear this. I just sent my first order to Mike for plating, (he received them on Monday). I was really looking forward to doing a lot of business w/ him in the near future.
RIP Mike, this hobby is really going to miss you.
Quoted from indypinhead:
So sad to hear this. I just sent my first order to Mike for plating, (he received them on Monday). I was really looking forward to doing a lot of business w/ him in the near future.
RIP Mike, this hobby is really going to miss you.
You two would have gotten along very well; Indy 500 was his favorite game.
God must have needed help restoring the pearly gates... gone but never forgotten - rest in peace Mike
Quoted from jayhawkai:
You two would have gotten along very well: Indy 500 was his favorite game, and he had all the 90s B/W A-list games in restored, pristine condition.
I was just thinking about that.
He had all the B/W pins universally regarded as great so I found that interesting that he would like I500 the most. He explained the reason was the difficulty in completing the 500 miles. Which is true; it's too difficult for me. But he had a thing for turbocharged bikes. I suspect it was seeing that turbocharger spin that struck a chord.
Sydney, Oz
What an amazing body of work he left behind. I didn't know him, but obviously know his work, and the high regard in which he is held by the people who did know him. May we all be inspired by what he achieved and may all those who want to gain fame and attention, please note that it is achieved by hard work and dedication, and carrying yourself in a manner that gains respect from others. I am showing my kids this thread as some message to them that a good man, when struck down, is remembered by his enduring good work and good character. I wish his family all the best.
It's always a sad day when we lose a member of our pinball community. I'm sorry to say that I've only known Mike through reading of him for many years, the outpouring of respect I see here says all I need to know. RIP Mike.
Steve
Quoted from Erik:
I was just thinking about that.
He had all the B/W pins universally regarded as great so I found that interesting that he would like I500 the most. He explained the reason was the difficulty in completing the 500 miles. Which is true; it's too difficult for me. But he had a thing for turbocharged bikes. I suspect it was seeing that turbocharger spin that struck a chord.
Interesting. One thing about it that he told me was that he loved the multiball light show. Mike's I500 is/was a HUO, unfaded red cabinet version. Probably only a couple others like it in the world.
I posted my respects earlier, but I just realized I don't currently have any games with Mike's work. He's done a ton of stuff for me, but mostly restorations I've done for other people. My favorite stuff was his black nickel shooters on IJ, GnR, STTNG, and he did a chrome FT shooter. Lots of wireforms, but my favorite was the black nickel wireforms on GnR. I believe my buddy still owns that game. I need to check.
I'm sure Mike's legacy goes beyond pinball, but for us, it lives on through all the games he made look great!
You two would have gotten along very well; Indy 500 was his favorite game.
Yep, he loved that game. I got to play his once and it is beautiful as is his entire collection. I don't think he has to many games left but what is left is absolutely perfect. All his games play perfect.
Quoted from YeOldPinPlayer:
Died doing something he loved. My condolences to his family & friends.
When I die I hope it's on my bike.
Agreed, that's the way I want to go out - sad for the pinball community, sorry for his family. I remember meeting up with him one time at Expo and he realized it has my motorcycle parked out front. His comment was "I'm from down south and I stopped riding a month ago, you're an idiot."
Oh my goodness, such incredibly sad news.
Mike was an extremely selfless person. Think about that. I don't mean in business, but in the communities he was involved in. Such a nice guy.
He was also brilliant. He will be missed.
WOW... I didn't know Mike personally, but felt like I knew him like family thru Pinside. Very sad indeed. My thoughts and prayers to him & his family.
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