Charles Michael "Chuck" Schuldiner, died on  December 13, 2001 at the age of 33.  He was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and musical genre innovator. Schuldiner was the singer, songwriter, rhythm and lead guitarist of the band Death. He is often referred to as "The Father of Death Metal", though he was modest about his role in being a musical innovator. He was quoted as saying,  'I don’t think I should take the credit for this death metal stuff. I’m just a guy from a band, and I think Death is a metal band'.
Schuldiner was born on May 13, 1967 on Long Island, New York to a Jewish father of Austrian descent and a mother from the American South.
On his birthday in 1999, Schuldiner was diagnosed with a brain cancer that invades the brain stem. The Schuldiner family was struggling financially. The total costs of the operations would come to $70,000, a price the Schuldiner‘s could not afford. Schuldiner had gotten medical insurance after his first surgery, but the insurer had refused to pay because the tumor existed before he had gotten the insurance.
In May 2001, the cancer returned and Schuldiner fell ill again. He was originally denied surgery (which he needed immediately) due to lack of funds.
Many fundraisers, auctions, and benefit concerts took place to help cover the costs. The metal community and the Schuldiner family showed deep concern because Schuldiner could lose his life, because he did not have the money to pay for medical care.  Many artists, including Kid Rock, Korn and The Red Hot Chili Peppers, got together in Summer 2001 to auction off personal items with the funds assisting Schuldiner's medical expenses.
He died on December 13, 2001.
Chuck once described himself as "a lover of life", "friendship", and "animals”.