Apple CEO Tim Cook Reflects on Steve Jobs in Heartfelt Memo to Employees

Apple CEO Tim Cook today reflected on Steve Jobs in a touching memo to employees that was obtained by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Jobs passed away 10 years ago today at the age of 56 following a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer.

tim cook steve jobs side by side
In the memo, Cook said that Jobs was a husband, a father, a friend, and a visionary who left an extraordinary legacy behind, adding that not a day goes by that he doesn't think about him. Apple's former design chief Jony Ive shared similarly heartfelt comments about Jobs this week, describing him as the most inquisitive human he has ever met.

Cook's full memo reads as follows:

Team,

Today marks the 10th anniversary of Steve's passing. It's a moment to celebrate his life and to reflect on the extraordinary legacy he left behind.

Steve believed that "people with passion can change the world for the better." That's the philosophy that inspired him to create Apple. And it lives in us today.

Steve was so many things: brilliant, funny, and wise, a husband, a father, a friend, and, of course, a visionary. He challenged us to see the world not for what it was, but for what it could be. And he helped so many people, myself included, see the same potential in ourselves. Not a day goes by that I don't think about him.

This year, as much as any other, we're reminded of the profound impact our products have on the world. I feel so lucky that we spend our days creating wildly innovative tools that connect people, inspire them to think differently, and empower them to make their own dent in the universe, too. It's one of the many gifts that Steve gave to all of us.

I wish Steve were here to see the way his spirit lives on in all of your amazing work. But most of all, I wish he could see what you do next. Steve once said that his proudest achievements were the ones that were yet to come. He spent every day imagining a future that no one else could see and working relentlessly to bring his vision to life.

Steve was a singular figure, but he taught us all how to soar. I miss him, and I will cherish him always.

Tim

Apple also commemorated Jobs with a full-page tribute on its website today, including a statement from his family.

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Top Rated Comments

TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
44 months ago
Today is a very sad day. We all miss you Steve! RIP!



Attachment Image
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
_Spinn_ Avatar
44 months ago
I often wonder how things would be different if Steve was still around.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Darth Tulhu Avatar
44 months ago
It must've been terrifying to receive the news that you are now in charge of Steve Jobs's legacy.

Especially when the man was your friend.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AppleTLDR Avatar
44 months ago

R.I.P. Steve .... shame Apple's innovation died with you :(
You’re absolutely entitled to your opinion. But please save this type of commentary for a different post. This was just a man sharing a beautiful tribute to a friend that he loved dearly. Let’s keep things respectful and civil rather than lower the tone.

Lots of opportunities to discuss the merits of innovation in other threads.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wigby Avatar
44 months ago

The absolute gall of Tim Cook is unreal. "Not a day goes by..." Are you ****ing serious?You singlehandedly turned a once great company into your own personal soapbox. As usualy with Timmy it's nothing but slogans and platitudes. This jackass should never have been made CEO.
He managed to turn his "personal soapbox" in to the most valuable company (12x more valuable than Jobs' Apple). I'd like to see any other CEO do that.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Realityck Avatar
44 months ago
Very well written tribute to Steve Jobs by Tim Cook.


Not a day goes by that I don't think about him.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)