Steve Jobs Dead at 56

By Gilbert Falso :: 8:37 PM

Apple co-founder and chairman Steve Jobs has died at the age of 56.

Jobs’ health had been faltering for the last several years. He underwent surgery in 2004 to treat a rare strain of pancreatic cancer. Although he returned to work soon after that surgery, he left Apple for 6 months in 2009 to treat a hormone issue.

While on leave for the hormone treatment, he also underwent a liver transplant. Earlier this year he took an indefinite leave of absence to address is health issues, and at the end of August, resigned his position as CEO. Apple’s Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook took over and Jobs was elected chairman of the board.

He launched Apple with partner Steve Wozniak in 1976, and one year later, the pair released their popular Apple II computer. It was hailed as the first successful mass-market computer that was easy for people to use.

The company released the following statement about Jobs’ death:

“Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple.”

The news of his death comes just one day after Apple’s announcement of the iPhone 4S. It was the first major announcement by the company in the post-Jobs era and was presided over by new CEO Cook.  Jobs was not present at the Cupertino event.

Apple has established an e-mail address for people to send their thoughts and remembrances to: remembersteve@apple.com.