Augie Nieto, ALS Advocate, Co-Founder & Retired CEO of Life Fitness, Passes On
Memories and kind words have poured in for Augie Nieto
Augie Nieto, ALS advocate, passed away peacefully on February 22, 2023, surrounded by his wife, Lynne, his family, and loved ones.
His passing was confirmed by Augie’s Quest Team, who wrote that Neito was their hero, inspiring others, and was relentless in his pursuit to find a cure for ALS.
He was also an icon in the fitness industry, as co-founder and retired CEO of Life Fitness and Chairman and co-founder of Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS.
In addition to being Chairman of the ALS Therapy Development Institute, he raised almost $200 million for ALS research.
“He inspired us, made us laugh, and made us cry. He taught us that when life hands you unspeakable challenges, what really matters is surrounding yourself with people who love you, and a cause you believe in,” Augie’s Quest Team wrote in a tribute.
The team also shared the wishes of Nieto, sharing that he wrote the following:
Please keep me in your hearts…please help continue the progress of Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS. Please help Lynne to carry on the mission – the second finest achievement of my life. Because I will be in your heart, I will get to experience the joy when we discover a cure.
I know that my fight is not over. I have battled ALS for almost 18 years. Physically, ALS has finally taken my body, but my battle to rid the world of this insidious disease will continue.
Nieto had just celebrated his 65th birthday, writing just a week ago that he was thankful to be alive, but revealed that the last seven months had been the most difficult of the nearly 18 years since he’s had ALS.
“I have felt despair and hopelessness and have gone to some really dark places,” he shared on LinkedIn. “Through it all, Lynne has been by my side and has been my tireless advocate. I love you, Lynne.”
He shared that his corneas were badly scarred due to an inability to blink, despite special drops and eye care, but he received cataract surgery and was feeling encouraged with some improvement in his vision.
“I am no longer looking at the future as my enemy, and I am looking forward to the things that I can do, and not mourning the things I can’t. Things have come full circle again, and I am thankful for this second (maybe third or fourth!) chance at life!” he wrote.
