Microsoft chairman Bill Gates said on Wednesday that he, “will miss Steve immensely.” The one-time collaborator cum arch rival turned major Apple investor issued a statement Wednesday evening following the news that Steve Jobs had passed away, and in that statement he praised Steve Jobs’s accomplishments, offered his condolences to his friends and family, and, invoking one of Steve Jobs’s own quotes, said that having worked with him was, “an insanely great honor.”
Microsft Chairman Bill Gates
Bill Gates statement, in full:
I’m truly saddened to learn of Steve Jobs’ death. Melinda and I extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends, and to everyone Steve has touched through his work.
Steve and I first met nearly 30 years ago, and have been colleagues, competitors and friends over the course of more than half our lives.
The world rarely sees someone who has had the profound impact Steve has had, the effects of which will be felt for many generations to come.
For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it’s been an insanely great honor. I will miss Steve immensely.
He also tweeted the following: “Melinda and I extend our sincere condolences to Steve Jobs’ family & friends. The world rarely sees someone who made such a profound impact.”
Mr. Gates was an early supporter of the Mac and quickly recognized the importance of a GUI as the future of computing. In the video below taken from a presentation in 1984, for instance, he (presciently) praised that the then-new Macintosh as the only device capable of creating a new standard.
Bill Gates on the Mac in 1984