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

That sucks big time.

[grungeman]

He spent his money is such great and geeky ways, I often thought that if I was that rich I would be living exactly his lifestyle. RIP Paul Allen, you left this world much too early.

Re:That sucks big time.

[snapsnap]

Like his computer museum and WWII air museum in the Seattle area. It's still sad he was forced out of Microsoft in 1982. The world would be a much different place if he had gotten his way of fixing problems with existing products instead of adding new features, or worse, Gate's style vaporware.

Re:That sucks big time.

[bill_mcgonigle]

I know, we'll force shipwrights to go into cancer research. It's basically the same type of job for the same type of personality with very similar training requirements.

Heyyyyy!

[toadlife]

Allen had nothing to do with systemd!

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:Now burning in hell

[BitterOak]

Microsoft created Windows and Allen co-founded Microsoft - he cannot wipe that blood off his hands!

But you can wipe Windows off your hard drive, so I don't get your point. Paul Allen was a great guy in many, many ways.

Bill Gates was so angry, Allen left the company.

[Futurepower(R)]

The book Paul Allen wrote avoids a full report, but gives the impression that Bill Gates was so angry, Paul Allen left the company because interacting with Bill Gates was bad for his health.

Quotes from the book, Idea Man by Paul Allen.

Page 49:

THREE DECADES AFTER teaching Bill and me at Lakeside, Fred Wright was asked what he'd thought about our success with Microsoft. His reply: "It was neat that they got along well enough that the company didn't explode in the first year or two."

Page 96:

When Bill pushed on licensing terms or bad-mouthed the flaky Signetics cards, Ed thought he was insubordinate. You could hear them yelling throughout the plant, and it was quite a spectacle-the burly ex-military officer standing toe to toe with the owlish prodigy about half his weight, neither giving an inch.

Page 177:

Bill was sarcastic, combative, defensive, and contemptuous.

Page 180:

"For Bill, the ground had already begun shifting. At product review meetings, his scathing critiques became a perverse badge of honor. One game was to count how many times Bill confronted a given manager; whoever got tagged for the most "stupidest things " won the contest. "I give my feedback," he grumbled to me, "and it doesn't go anywhere."

He will be missed

[GregMmm]

I never knew him, but I know the effects he had on my world.

I'm a IT professional who cut his teeth on Windows 3.11. Everyone has their issues with how windows work, but you have to admit he along with Bill Gates had a huge influence on the tech industry.

As a sports fan in Washington, he was a person who brought a SuperBowl win to the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks have been run very well and you can see it in the product. You never needed to worry about the franchise in his hands.

I know these might seem like simple statements, but this is how I knew him. And he will be missed.

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

[Zero__Kelvin]

Your post is a serious be joke. Allen left Microsoft in 1982, and indeed was a true philanthropist. Based on the timing of his departure it is entirely possible he left Microsoft because he saw what Gates was planning to do and wanted no part in it. Paul Allen was the real technological talent at Microsoft, back when it was a decent company that produced a decent product.

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:RIP Paul!

[Beryllium Sphere(tm)]

I worked for Paul from '85 through '90. Occasionally, at random, he'd just invite a bunch of us to his house. As far as I could ever tell, not a mean bone in his body.

Re:karma

[hey!]

What a ray of sunshine you are.

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%.