Silicon Valley pays tribute to former Intel chief Andy Grove, who has passed away aged 79
Intel's former chief executive, Andy Grove, died on Monday (21 March) aged 79. The company announced the news in a statement, saying it was "deeply saddened" by his passing. Grove had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, but the cause of his death was not immediately made public.
Brian Krzanich, current chief executive at Intel, said: “Andy made the impossible happen, time and again, and inspired generations of technologists, entrepreneurs, and business leaders.”
Other Sillicon Valley bosses lead the tributes to "one of the giants of the technology world":
Andy Grove was one of the giants of the technology world. He loved our country and epitomized America at its best. Rest in peace.
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) March 22, 2016
RIP Andy Grove. The best company builder Silicon Valley has ever seen, and likely will ever see. — Marc Andreessen (@pmarca) March 22, 2016
Saddened by the passing of Andy Grove…a pioneer, a leader and a
great teacher
— Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) March 22, 2016
Remembering Andy Grove, one of the greatest ever. Teacher, Friend, Leader. Told it like it was and made it happen. pic.twitter.com/2bqIYrW9z4
— Michael Dell (@MichaelDell) March 22, 2016
Having joined the company in 1968, Grove was Intel's first hire and held several positions, including president, chief executive and chairman, before his retirement in 2005.
His leadership spanned almost 40 years, and he helped the company dominate the PC market alongside Windows - playing a critical role in the decision to move the company's focus from memory chips to microprocessors.
Born in Budapest, Hungary, Grove immigrated to the United States in the 1950s having survived Nazi occupation and escaped Soviet repression. He was an active philanthropist who contributed to Parkinson's research and gave the City College of New York $26m to help establish the Grove School of Engineering.
Grove and his wife, Eva, were married for 58 years and had two daughters and eight grandchildren.