METUS HVAC product manager Chuck Applebee passes away

Written on: December 8, 2021 by ICM

Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US (METUS) HVAC has announced Charles (Chuck) F. Applebee, Jr. passed away on Oct. 4.

“The HVAC industry lost a true hero and friend when we lost Chuck Applebee,” said Mike Smith, METUS Senior Manager Marketing Communications and mentee of Applebee’s. Applebee worked for METUS for more than 21 years as a Product Manager over the energy recovery ventilators (ERVs), the split-ductless product line and accessories.

Chuck Applebee

Applebee, 76, of Gainesville, GA, peacefully passed away Oct. 4 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his wife, Joan W. Applebee, children, stepchildren and 12 grandchildren.

After attending the University of West Georgia and Georgia State University, Applebee joined his father at Applebee-Church Inc. and was later president of Sun Manufacturing before beginning his career at METUS, a leading supplier of Ductless and Ducted Mini-split and Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) heat-pump and air-conditioning systems.

“Chuck gave us his best while working at Mitsubishi Electric. He loved working for this company and was always willing to share his extensive knowledge with others,” said Mark Kuntz, CEO, Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US. “We will miss him dearly.”

“Chuck took me under his wing as a novice HVAC guy on the entrepreneurial team at Mitsubishi Electric’s HVAC division,” said Smith. “I’ll never forget how Chuck shared his industry knowledge with me. His connections and insights significantly contributed to METUS’ growth and market share gain. He’s a legend in this field.”

Community involvement was important to Applebee. Over the years, he served in numerous roles in his children’s school and athletic programs and in his neighborhood.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for contributions to the American Cancer Society in loving memory of “Charles Francis Applebee, Jr.” Online condolences may be expressed at www.crowellbrothers.com.