Remembering Paul Allen: Not Just a Co‑Founder, But a Legend
On the quiet morning of October 15, the tech world sat still as news hit that Paul Allen, the co‑founded Dynamo behind Microsoft, had passed away at 65. The family shared that he had been battling non‑Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer that had already crater‑been in his past seven years. Though he had a tough history in the fight—he’d beaten the same beast a decade ago—this time the battle won.
From Lecture Hall to Silicon Valley
Born and raised in Seattle, a city with endless coffee shops and a wistful rainy weather, Paul spent his early university days at Washington State before deciding that a lecture hall was a bit too “linear.” The moment he decided to drop out, he’d already figured his great idea: Microsoft, 1975, alongside his high‑school buddy Bill Gates. By 1983 he left the startup scene, choosing instead to invest his hard‑earned fortune.
Vulcan Inc. – The Powerhouse Behind a Billion Dollar Empire
In 1986, he founded Vulcan Inc. which eventually became the command center for a multi‑billion‑dollar portfolio. Think of it as a giant scale where each point was a portfolio – from art, to property, to tech.
Microsoft’s Sentimental Tribute
- Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s CEO, eased the world’s grief by saying “Paul Allen’s contributions to our company, our industry and to our community are indispensable.”
- He also reflected, “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.”
The Philanthropic Juggernaut
With a net worth that placed him #44 on Forbes’ 2018 billionaire list (around US$20.5 billion), Paul didn’t just keep his riches inside vaults. He opened doors: libraries, universities, and an entire research hub for the brain. Snapped pythons in Seattle were already a “power” campaign, a strong way to open community doors.
Sports – The Heartbeat of Seattle
Paul’s investment list is a match‑maker of teamwork, featuring:
- The NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers
- The NFL’s Seattle Seahawks
- The MLS’s Seattle Sounders FC
Remember: when you’re on a team or cheering from the stands, someone in the stands had something to do with your project somewhere in the world? That’s Paul. He was not only a producer of dreams but a tangible contributor to the local community.
Legacy: A Scent of Innovation and Community
With humor as sharp as a razor, Paul Allen’s death marks the ending of an era. But the memories of those lines of code that built a nightly vision and the libraries that will be visited for ever will be eternal. He broke many walls in the world with the dinners on the sidewalk toll, and we’re sure he’ll be drinking the world with a small smile in the after.
