It's kind of amazing when the passing of a person you never knew affects you. So it is with Steve Jobs.
I was a bit shocked to hear of his death. I mean, it wasn't surprising per se. When he finally bowed out of Apple, it was pretty obvious to me that he was dying. I think only imminent death could force him out of Apple a second time. He loved that company. Truly loved it, I believe.
But still, to have such a powerful presence in the world one minute, and then, suddenly, to not. That was shocking. And sad.
Like I said, I never knew Mr. Jobs. But a great deal of my life is tied up in things he made happen. A great deal of my life is the way it is because of him. And I think it's important to remember that, and to pay some respect when someone who's influenced so much and so many leaves us.
Whatever you might think of Steve Jobs as a person, there's no denying that he was, if nothing else, interesting. He did interesting things with his life, and he did them in grand fashion. There was no one quite like him, and there probably won't be again in my lifetime.
Even to many who never knew him, he will be missed.
John Stewart best summed up my feelings: