Late yesterday Intel announced that the company's former CEO and Chairman Andrew S. Grove passed away at the age of 79. Intel current CEO Brian Krzanich stated that "We are deeply saddened by the passing of former Intel Chairman and CEO Andy Grove. Andy made the impossible happen, time and again, and inspired generations of technologists, entrepreneurs, and business leaders."

Grove played a critical role in the decision to move Intel's focus from memory chips to microprocessors and led the firm's transformation into a widely recognized consumer brand. Under his leadership, Intel produced the chips, including the 386 and Pentium, that helped usher in the PC era. The company also increased annual revenues from $1.9 billion to more than $26 billion.

Intel Chairman Andy Bryant stated that "Andy approached corporate strategy and leadership in ways that continue to influence prominent thinkers and companies around the world. He combined the analytic approach of a scientist with an ability to engage others in honest and deep conversation, which sustained Intel's success over a period that saw the rise of the personal computer, the Internet and Silicon Valley."

He was recognized as being a key mentor to Steve Jobs. Apple's CEO Tim Cook tweeted that Grove was "'one of the giants of the technology world."

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