Microsoft Co-Founder Paul Allen Dies of Cancer At Age 65 (cnbc.com)

CNBC is reporting that Microsoft Co-Founder Paul Allen has died from complications of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Vulcan Inc. said in a statement Monday that Allen passed this afternoon in Seattle at the age of 65. From the report: "While most knew Paul Allen as a technologist and philanthropist, for us he was a much-loved brother and uncle, and an exceptional friend. Paul's family and friends were blessed to experience his wit, warmth, his generosity and deep concern," [Paul Allen's sister, Jody Allen] said in a statement. "For all the demands on his schedule, there was always time for family and friends. At this time of loss and grief for us -- and so many others -- we are profoundly grateful for the care and concern he demonstrated every day."

Earlier this month, Allen revealed that he had started treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, the same type of cancer he overcame nine years earlier. The longtime CEO left Microsoft when he was first diagnosed with the disease. Allen also ranked among the world's wealthiest individuals. As of Monday afternoon, he ranked 21st on Forbes' list of billionaires with an estimated net worth of $20.3 billion. UPDATE: Added a link to a statement from Vulcan Inc. on behalf of the Allen Family and Paul G. Allen network.

Comments

Re:Now burning in hell

[CohibaVancouver]

He is now burning in hell for Microsoft and Windows

Windows, Anonymous Coward? Allen left Microsoft in 1982. Windows 1.0 launched in 1985.

("The" Windows - Windows 3.1 - Didn't launch until 1992, a decade after Allen had left.)

Re:It is easier for a camel to pass thru a needle

[CohibaVancouver]

He ran a monopoly

Hey Anonymous Coward, which monopoly did he "run?"

He was co-founder of Microsoft, but he left there over 36 years ago.

Re:It is easier for a camel to pass thru a needle

[Anonymous Coward]

That is not at all true. I graduated from high school in 1973 in Seattle and have had many friends that have worked for Microsoft. Allen argued against lying to IBM that they had an operating system and argued for fixing bugs rather than adding features before he was forced out of Microsoft in 1982. Paul Allen was on the side of users.

Re: Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

[Nidi62]

Wouldn't prostate rates be skewed by the fact that, while a large percentage of men will get prostate cancer, it usually develops so late in life that they end up dying of something other than the cancer?

Re:RIP Paul!

[bennet42]

Man what a shock! I was lucky enough to be working at a Seattle startup that Paul bought back in the 90s ( doing VoIP SOHO phone systems ). He liked to swing by office on a regular basis as we were just a few blocks from Dicks hamburgers on Mercer St (his favorite). He was really an engineer's engineer. We'd give him a status report on how things were going and within a few minutes he was up at the white board spitballing technical solutions to ASIC or network problems. I especially remember him coming by the day he bought the Seahawks. Paul was a big physical presence ( 6'2" 250lbs in those days ), but he kept going on about how after meeting the Seahawks players, he never felt so physically small in his life. Ignore the internet trolls. Paul was a good guy. He was a humble, modest, down-to-earth guy. There was always a pick-up basketball game on his court on Thursday nights. Jam session over at his place were legendary ( I never got to play with him, but every musician that I know that played with him was impressed with his guitar playing ). He left a huge legacy in the pacific northwest. We'll miss you Paul!

Re:Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

[hey!]

Since Non-Hodgkin's is by definition any cancer of lymphocytes that is not Hodgkin's, it's unlikely to be "beaten" any time soon because it's not just one thing. Collectively, though, 10 year survival rates for Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas run from 36% to 71% depending on your risk factors (age, how early the cancer is diagnosed). There's been a lot of progress on Hodgkins' too: 10 year survival is up to around 80%.