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A Farewell to Steve Jobs

Written by Harold Lawrence
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Steve Jobs, founder and CEO of Apple, died on Tuesday.

One of the most influential people of the last two centuries died earlier today. On October 5, Steve Jobs—co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Apple—passed away after a long battle with cancer. Jobs oversaw the development of Mac products as well as such revolutionary devices as the iPod, iPad, and iPhone.

Very few people of the current generation can claim to be free of Jobs’ influence. Even if you don’t personally use a Mac or any of the iProducts, you are nevertheless using a computer, phone, or other device that has made modifications because Apple changed the game, forcing other manufacturers to keep up with the innovations that hit society thanks to Jobs and co.

Or maybe you’ve got kids who are into one of Pixar’s many incredible films like Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Wall-E, or Cars. Few people remember that Steve Jobs was a key figure in turning Pixar into one of the most successful animation studios ever. Jobs bought Pixar, then a computer graphics company, in the ‘80s and formed a partnership with Disney to produce films.

Jobs' incredible technological and business acumen made him one of the richest Americans, with an estimated net worth of about $8.3 billion, even though his salary as CEO of Apple was only one dollar per year.

It was a little over a month ago that Jobs stepped down as CEO of Apple due to the increasing effects of his illness.

Microsoft founder and fellow billionaire released a statement that said, in part, "The world rarely sees someone who has had the profound impact Steve has had, the effects of which will be felt for many generations to come… For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it's been an insanely great honor. I will miss Steve immensely."

Other notable figures in the business and tech world paid tribute to the visionary Jobs as well.

Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg wrote: "Steve, thank you for being a mentor and a friend. Thanks for showing that what you build can change the world. I will miss you."

And of course, the Apple website, where the announcement of Jobs’ passing was first made, had some special words for the man who made the company what it is:

“Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple.”