"Though it had to eventually come, the news of Steve Jobs passing washed over me painfully. Not only had Mr. Jobs, Steve, been a mentor, hero and predominantly my inspiration for life and career, but his passing meant that my mainstream was about to be altered. And, not in a good way. An IT Director for predominantly Apple Products for the better part of the last 25 years, I found myself confident, proficient and familiar with excellence. I am proud of it and its all because of Steve Jobs.

I remember Macworld in NY 2000 when Steve graciously gave out a new Mouse to all Keynote attendees, I remember feeling great appreciation for this gesture and still have this shrink-wrapped, never used.
Steve was more than a visionary, he improved my life without ever really knowing me. Or didn't he? He knew all of those who needed to believe in the pre-eminence of technology. He knew that I/we needed to see change in a positive light when the world around us was constantly declining, affecting every household. He knew that every company whose goal was to achieve excellence in performance and creativity could benefit from his knowledge. Steve was forward thinking, before his time and someone I felt like I've known my whole life. Every iphone, ipad, macbook pro, XServe, XServe RAID, Mac Pro, etc that I work with will always remind me of him.
I am honored and priveleged to have lived in the same lifetime as my hero and legend.
Thanks for a great life Steve, you will be sorely missed by all."
– Larry Sclafani

"My earliest memory of using a Macintosh computer was playing Oregon Trail without a mouse in Kindergarten, but I'll never forget when we got our first computer in the house, it was such a big deal, and at the time, a huge purchase. I've been a Mac person ever since, from my turquoise iMac, my first generation iPod (which I still have) to the tiny phone that holds my life together.

In the 80s, Steve Jobs was quoted as saying, "I want to put a ding in the universe." Well Mr. Jobs, that's one hell of a ding you created."

– Spencer Adams

"This is my favorite quote from him and it makes a lot of sense for us too: "People think it's this veneer -- that the designers are handed this box and told, 'Make it look good!' That's not what we think design is. It's not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works." - Steve Jobs"
– Amitis Pahlevan

"In college, the computer labs were chock full of Windows machines and had just one back row of 5 Macs that were always open. Being a Mac fan meant that I always had a machine on which to write my papers, complete my Photoshop 3.0 assignments and do internet research in the lab— when other students had to wait in line for their machines. Me and a handful of other students knew the power of the Mac, beyond the fact it was just convenient to use a computer others didn't want to understand. It also meant I was preparing for my future career by gaining experience on these machines that would go on to define an industry.

Thanks, Steve, for having such foresight and revolutionary ideas about technology and its relationship with people. Thanks for Thinking Different."
– Brandi Parker

"Left a past we can't forget. Created a present we couldn't foresee. Inspired a future of endless possibility."
– Rob Salit

"The passing of Steve Jobs is a great loss. Steve was a true visionary and leader whose life-changing products will be a part of history.
He impacted our world in such a major way over the past 25 years. I can only imagine how he would continue to change the world in the next 25..."
– Jaime Gold

"No other CEO has had such an effect on my professional and personal life. I am so thankful for his meticulous commitment to aesthetics and function as it inspires me everyday."
– Hannah Ratlaff

"Steve Jobs not only recognized the importance of visual strategy in transforming Apple into the brand it is today, but viewed it as essential. He employed visual language to communicate his vision and to build products that have revolutionized the way we live. Thanks, and goodbye to a visionary and a champion of great design."
– Stephanie Vano

"Thank you for showing all of us how vision and leadership can change the world. You will be sorely missed."
– Susan Federspiel

"Like many great icons, Mr. Jobs contributions to society in general can not fully be measured. From the outside looking in, you get the sense that he truly had all the great characteristics of past pioneers; leadership, passion, drive and vision.  As time goes on we will only begin to realize how he changed the way we live our lives."
– Brian Thorson

"Thank you for making our lives, and our jobs, easier and more enjoyable.  It is now our responsibility to keep your vision alive and continue to infuse imagination and creativity into everything that we do. "
– Meghan Labot

– Ellen Elfering

– Patricia Jordan