Andrew Grove
Former Intel CEO Andrew Grove dies at age 79. Intel press release

Technology legend Andrew Grove, the former CEO and chairman of Intel, has died aged 79 on 21 March.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of former Intel Chairman and CEO Andy Grove," Intel CEO Brian Krzanich said in a statement. "Andy made the impossible happen, time and again, and inspired generations of technologists, entrepreneurs, and business leaders."

An Intel hire back in 1968, Grove went on to become company president in 1979, its CEO in 1987 and chairman from 1967 to 2005. He is credited with Intel's landmark decision to shift its focus from memory to microprocessors - transforming the company into a chip-making powerhouse, he "helped usher in the PC era." Intel produced chips, that include the 386 and Pentium, are still used in personal computers and other devices today.

Under Grove's leadership, the famous "Intel Inside" slogan also came into being. Intel's sales grew from nearly $2bn (£1.4bn) to $26bn during his tenure.

Known for his famous corporate mantra, "Only the paranoid survive," Grove became Time's Person of the Year in 1997. The magazine wrote: "His character traits are emblematic of this amazing century: a paranoia bred from his having been a refugee from the Nazis and then the Communists; an entrepreneurial optimism instilled as an immigrant to a land brimming with freedom and opportunity; and a sharpness tinged with arrogance that comes from being a brilliant mind on the front line of a revolution."

Steve Jobs mentor

Grove's brutal honesty and exactitude made him a respected figurehead and mentor to some of tech's most influential leaders including former Apple CEO Steve Jobs. According to Walter Isaacson's 2011 biography about Jobs, the Apple executive often turned to Grove at pivotal moments in his life.

When he was considering whether or not to return to Apple in 1997, Jobs called Grove for advice. While Steve was running through his pros and cons, Grove stopped him and bluntly said, "Steve, I don't give a s**t about Apple."

"I was stunned. It was then that I realized that I do give a shit about Apple...That was when I decided to go back," Jobs said of the life-changing exchange.

Born András Gróf in Budapest, Hungary, he immigrated to the United States in 1956, having survived Nazi occupation and fleeing Soviet oppression. He was schooled in electrical engineering and received his doctorate in engineering from the University of California at Berkeley in 1963. He was hired by Gordon Moore as a researcher at Fairchild Semiconductor and was Intel's first hire when Moore and Robert Noyce founded the company in 1968.

He successfully fought a battle against prostate cancer after he opted to allow doctors to give him an experimental cancer treatment, and suffered from Parkinson's disease in recent years.

A remarkable source of inspiration in the valley and beyond, many tech and business leaders took to Twitter to pay their respects to the man who became a visionary figure in the technology world, and beyond, as an engineer, businessman, CEO, social justice advocate, best selling author and philanthropist.

I’m sad to hear that Andy Grove has died. I loved working with him. He was one of the great business leaders of the 20th century.

— Bill Gates (@BillGates) March 22, 2016

Andy Grove was an inspiration growing up, his impact will be felt for a long time. RIP Andy Grove https://t.co/FRmzkM4QEP

— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) March 22, 2016

We are saddened by Andy Grove's passing. He made the impossible happen, time and again. https://t.co/DWqQlMgXiD pic.twitter.com/Wi2Whu5qMn

— Intel (@intel) March 22, 2016

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

Shedding a few tears tonight for my hero and the best CEO and teacher I have ever known. Goodbye Andy. I love you. https://t.co/a4BoDq2RH3

— Ben Horowitz (@bhorowitz) March 22, 2016

2/ Andy Grove was a towering leader, mentor, and educator. He was ruthlessly, intellectually honest. And rightly proud of building Intel.

— John Doerr (@johndoerr) March 22, 2016

Saddened by the passing of Andy Grove…a pioneer, a leader and a
great teacher

— Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) March 22, 2016

We stand on the shoulders of giants in our work--none bigger than Andy Grove (1936-2016). You'll be greatly missed. https://t.co/5cxDY92Ah5

— Brian Krzanich (@bkrunner) March 22, 2016

Andy Grove was a pillar in the tech industry, and has left a lasting impression on us all. You will be missed. https://t.co/WXURiLvG9y

— Yuanqing Yang (@YuanqingYang) March 22, 2016

Very sad to hear of the passing of the great Andy Grove, former CEO of @intel. A tremendous positive force on our industry & community.

— Marc Benioff (@Benioff) 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

Today the world has lost a great man in Andy Grove. A friend and mentor for many years. Forever thank you for all you have done for me.

— Pat Gelsinger (@PGelsinger) March 22, 2016

Giant. RIP. RT @breakingbytes: Former Intel CEO, chairman Andrew Grove dies at age 79, company announces https://t.co/jtuwZaSiVz

— Matthew Prince (@eastdakota) March 22, 2016