Charvat founded the FishAmerica Foundation, a foundation designed to generate grass-roots efforts to improve sport fishing. He was also a member of the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame.

Charvat served in the Navy for four years. In 1977, Charvat became president of Zebco and served in that capacity until 1989, when he was promoted to executive vice president of the Brunswick Corp. and president of the Brunswick Marine Group. After 34 years with Brunswick, Charvat retired in 1995.