Steve Jobs Passes Away

Steve Jobs 1955-2011

Tech visionary and marketer extraordinaire Steve Jobs has passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer. Jobs was the cofounder of Apple Computer and the single most influential individual in technology for the past 30 years, upending the markets for personal computing, digital music, and mobile computing.

"Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being," a note on the Apple website reads. "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."

"Steve's brilliance, passion, and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives," a separate Apple statement reads. "The world is immeasurably better because of Steve. His greatest love was for his wife, Laurene, and his family. Our hearts go out to them and to all who were touched by his extraordinary gifts."

"In his public life, Steve was known as a visionary; in his private life, he cherished his family," a statement from Jobs' family notes. "We are thankful to the many people who have shared their wishes and prayers during the last year of Steve's illness. We are grateful for the support and kindness of those who share our feelings for Steve. We know many of you will mourn with us, and we ask that you respect our privacy during our time of grief."

"For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it's been an insanely great honor," long-time competitor, partner, and, more recently, friend Bill Gates said. "I will miss Steve immensely.''

"Steve was among the greatest of American innovators: brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it," President Barack Obama said in a statement. "He exemplified the spirit of American ingenuity. Steve was fond of saying that he lived every day like it was his last. Because he did, he transformed our lives, redefined entire industries, and achieved one of the rarest feats in human history: He changed the way each of us sees the world."

Jobs was just 56 years old.