Microsoft Co-Founder, Paul Allen, Has Died at 65

Paul Allen, a co-founder of Microsoft, has died from complications from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Allen announced in early October that the cancer he beat in 2009, had returned, and earlier today it was announced that he had passed.

Allen and Gates began working together in 1975 and formed Microsoft, with Allen coming up with the original name for the company, Micro-Soft. Officially, Allen worked at Microsoft up until 2000 but did stick around as a senior strategy advisor.

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The following statement was posted on Vulcan’s website, Vulcan is the company behind philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen’s network of organizations and initiatives:

“My brother was a remarkable individual on every level. 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. 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.”

During his lifetime, Allen had given more than $2 billion to Philanthropy and has been involved with many different business ventures including pushing the Seattle Seahawks in 1996.

Allen was 65.

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Conversation 24 comments

  • SeattleMike

    Premium Member
    15 October, 2018 - 6:29 pm

    <p>No words!</p><p><br></p><p>Thank you to a man who changed the world!</p><p><br></p><p>Rest in Peace!</p>

  • martinusv2

    Premium Member
    15 October, 2018 - 6:33 pm

    <p>65.. too young to go.</p>

  • troughley

    Premium Member
    15 October, 2018 - 6:42 pm

    <p>Sad news, he is one that made impacts after his life at Microsoft</p>

  • chrisrut

    Premium Member
    15 October, 2018 - 7:06 pm

    <p>Holy ef… That hits close to home. </p>

  • skane2600

    15 October, 2018 - 7:10 pm

    <p>Paul Allen kind of played Steve Wozniak to Bill Gates' Steve Jobs. Both Allen and <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Wozniak</span> were key figures in their respective companies and got sidelined by their more aggressive partners (Allen more so then Wozniak). </p><p><br></p><p>Anyone who wrote a lot of assembly code for early microprocessors should raise a glass to one of the great pioneers of the craft, Paul Allen.</p>

    • wesb

      15 October, 2018 - 7:24 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#353697"><em>In reply to skane2600:</em></a><em>I'm raising my glass to Paul Allen(cheers to the pioneers). I was a huge Microsoft fan back in the 80s &amp; 90s. </em><img src=""></blockquote><p><br></p>

    • MikeGalos

      16 October, 2018 - 4:18 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#353697">In reply to skane2600:</a></em></blockquote><p>Actually, Paul Allen got "sidelined" by non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma cancer back in 1982 and decided, after fighting that, that he'd rather not get back into the daily battles that were the early days of the personal computer and, instead, go into the lower stress life of smaller startups.</p><p><br></p><p>As a reminder, the one time Paul did get back into software, Microsoft bundled his <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Asymetrix Toolbook </span>product (similar to Apple's Hypercard) with one of their biggest hits, Windows 3.0. </p>

      • skane2600

        16 October, 2018 - 11:12 am

        <blockquote><em><a href="#353768">In reply to MikeGalos:</a></em></blockquote><p>You should read Paul's book "Idea Man", where he described how Gates insisted he should have 64% of the company instead of 50% and how he and Ballmer conspired to push him out of the company while he was sick.</p><p><br></p><p>www.cnet.com/news/paul-allen-gates-ballmer-tried-to-rip-me-off/</p>

        • MikeGalos

          16 October, 2018 - 12:55 pm

          <blockquote><em><a href="#353820">In reply to skane2600:</a></em></blockquote><p>You should have worked in the industry at the time. Or worked with Asymetrix (on Microsoft's dime) to help promote their product.</p>

          • skane2600

            16 October, 2018 - 1:27 pm

            <blockquote><em><a href="#353849">In reply to MikeGalos:</a></em></blockquote><p>1982? I WAS working in the industry at that time, but not for Microsoft or Asymetrix. </p>

        • skane2600

          16 October, 2018 - 8:00 pm

          <blockquote><em><a href="#353820">In reply to skane2600:</a></em></blockquote><p>I'd label the down vote as "-1 informative". You don't have to be anti-Microsoft or anti-Bill Gates to acknowledge some of his negative actions.</p>

  • RonH

    Premium Member
    15 October, 2018 - 7:17 pm

    <p>There is no beating <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma unfortunately. I think 9 years surpasses the average. </span></p>

  • OldITPro2000

    Premium Member
    15 October, 2018 - 7:57 pm

    <p>Very sad news. In pace requiescat.</p>

  • Thomas Parkison

    15 October, 2018 - 8:51 pm

    <p>Here's to one of the great ones. Rest in peace, Paul.</p>

  • Ed

    Premium Member
    15 October, 2018 - 9:30 pm

    <p>Whoa! 65 is way to young. </p><p><br></p><p>Brings back some memories of the early days of Microsoft. </p><p><br></p><p>RIP. </p>

  • dcdevito

    15 October, 2018 - 10:07 pm

    <p>RIP Mr. Allen, your contributions to technology and philanthropy outside it all were incredible. </p><p><br></p><p>Damn, I'm bummed </p>

  • brettscoast

    Premium Member
    16 October, 2018 - 1:17 am

    <p>Very sad news vale Paul Allen</p>

  • iantrem

    Premium Member
    16 October, 2018 - 3:38 am

    <p>What an impact to have made on the world, not only in terms of a push to give technology to the masses, but in terms of his <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">philanthropy too. One of a generation that saw the future and strived for it.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">RIP.</span></p>

  • Chris

    16 October, 2018 - 3:47 am

    <p>RIP Paul. Your contributions to IT will not be forgotten.</p>

  • shmuelie

    Premium Member
    16 October, 2018 - 9:58 am

    <p>Baruch Dayan Emet</p>

  • Maktaba

    16 October, 2018 - 3:50 pm

    <p>Nadella’s statement:</p><p><br></p><p>“<span style="color: rgb(47, 47, 47);">As co-founder of Microsoft, in his own quiet and persistent way, he created magical products, experiences and institutions, and in doing so, he changed the world.“</span></p>

  • darrellprichard

    16 October, 2018 - 6:56 pm

    <p>He never got the public accolades or adoration given to Steve Jobs. That's a shame given the global influence of his work – not to mention that unlike Jobs, Paul is leaving most of his billions to further help the world.</p><p><br></p><p>Godspeed Mr. Allen.</p>

  • plettza

    17 October, 2018 - 4:47 am

    <p>Vail Mr Allen.</p><p><br></p><p>I'm raising a glass to Paul.</p>

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