Bill Campbell, a beloved mentor to some of the technology industry’s biggest names, passed away on Monday after a long battle with cancer.
A former football coach turned “nerd whisperer,” as Fortune senior editor Jennifer Reingold described him in a 2008 profile, Campbell taught an industry almost entirely focused on tech products how to consider the humans building them. He was also a quiet champion for women in tech, a feat not easy by any measure in the male-dominated business.
Campbell spent time at Apple in its early days as VP of marketing and later as board member, earning him the highest praises from Steve Jobs, and later ran tablet computer company GO. He was also CEO of Intuit.
As news of his passing spread, many of Campbell’s friends and colleagues took to social media to celebrate his life and share their recollections about him.
Apple CEO Tim Cook:
Bill Campbell believed in Apple when few people did. We'll miss his wisdom,friendship,humor & his love for life. RIP pic.twitter.com/HA7hYgGxNM
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 18, 2016
Entrepreneur and venture capitalist Ben Horowitz:
https://twitter.com/bhorowitz/status/722128794597900288
Former Twitter CEO Dick Costolo:
https://twitter.com/dickc/status/722094588454838273
Apple executive Phil Schiller:
https://twitter.com/pschiller/status/722137954257215488
Eric Schmidt, executive chairman of Google parent company Alphabet:
A very sad day. My deepest condolences to his family. Bill was instrumental as a mentor – for me, for Google, for all Valley entrepreneurs
— Eric Schmidt (@ericschmidt) April 18, 2016
Former Kleiner Perkins partner and Reddit CEO Ellen Pao:
Bill Campbell was my coach in 2011. He inspired me to do the right thing & not be afraid of what other people thought or of doing hard work.
— Ellen K. Pao (@ekp) April 18, 2016
Venture capitalist John Doerr:
1/ Silicon Valley lost a giant as Coach Bill Campbell passed away this morning. pic.twitter.com/qaZBfFj1Vt
— John Doerr (@johndoerr) April 18, 2016
Former Microsoft executive and investor Steven Sinofsky:
https://twitter.com/stevesi/status/722098677343461377
Venture capitalist John Lilly:
RIP Bill Campbell. Incredible contributions of all kinds. He’ll be missed greatly.
— John Lilly (@johnolilly) April 18, 2016
LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner:
https://twitter.com/jeffweiner/status/722146046902710277