Today October 5th, 2011, Apple announced the death of Steve Jobs, former CEO and co-founder, who was 56 years young. Tonight, this message appears on Apple’s website, “Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us that 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”.
Steve Jobs Resigns as CEO of Apple
At the end of August, Jobs resigned as the CEO of Apple computers and said in part of his resignation letter, "I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come. I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee". Jobs citing his declining health as the main reason for his stepping down. Steve Jobs health began declining in 2004 when diagnosed with a rare form of pancreatic cancer called islet cell neuroendocrine tumor. In 2009, he received a liver transplant.
Apple Computers Born in 1976
Apple appointed Steve Jobs to their board of directors as chairperson as a condition of his resignation and out of respect for his part as cofounder of the company which began in 1976 and was essentially the fruition of four men, Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne, and Mike Markkula Junior. Steve Jobs was just 16 years old then and no one could ever predict the wild and creative ride that would make him America’s 42nd wealthiest person in 2010, despite his annual salary of just $1 dollar while working as Apple’s CEO.
Apple really took off with a bang after the Macintosh was unveiled in 1984 and for many years, the company grew in a new and exciting industry. Then the economy took a dive and in 1985 Steve Jobs was fired from the company he helped start. Many people would consider starting over a failure but Steve Jobs has acknowledged in his infamous keynote speeches called "SteveNotes" that losing his job might have opened him up to his true creative self. Instead, he moved forward starting NeXT computers, which helped evolve email into what it is today. In addition, Apple would buy NeXT computers in 1996 for an astounding $429 million dollars, which opened the door for Jobs to return to Apple as the interim CEO and permanent CEO.
Steve Jobs Inventor and Visonary
Steve Jobs not only built computers but he designed them to be elegant and productive. Apple is a brand name that almost anyone recognizes, especially since the introduction of the IPhone. He leaves behind a family and many people who will continue to learn and grow from the products he helped design and create.
There is a quote, “Life is not a journey to the grave with intentions of arriving safely in a pretty well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming ... WOW! What a ride!” When I hear this quote, I imagine this is how Steve Jobs is arriving at the pearly gates today.
Erika Lyn Smith - Erika Lyn Smith - is a Psych RN, who has completed the UMSL Medicolegal Death Investigator Training Course, and is finishing a BS in ...
