‘Technologist and philanthropist’ Paul Allen dies at 65

The Microsoft co-founder and Seahawks owner died from cancer on Monday.

By Katie Metzger • October 15, 2018 4:00 pm
‘Technologist and philanthropist’ Paul Allen dies at 65

Microsoft co-founder and Seahawks owner Paul Allen has died at age 65 from complications of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Allen died Monday afternoon in Seattle, according to a statement from Vulcan Inc., Allen’s investment company, on behalf of his family. His sister, Jody, said he was “a remarkable individual on every level.”

“While most knew Paul Allen as a technologist and philanthropist, for us he was a much-loved brother and uncle, and an exceptional friend. Paul’s family and friends were blessed to experience his wit, warmth, his generosity and deep concern,” she said in a statement. “For all the demands on his schedule, there was always time for family and friends. At this time of loss and grief for us — and so many others — we are profoundly grateful for the care and concern he demonstrated every day.”

Allen announced two weeks ago that the non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma he was treated for in 2009 had returned. Allen wrote on Twitter and in a blog post that he had begun undergoing treatment again and planned to fight it “aggressively.”

Allen also had a lot of property, but his primary residence was a waterfront complex on Mercer Island, where he owned a total of 11 mansions, according to Business Insider.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said in a statement that Allen’s “contributions to our company, our industry and our community are indispensable,” adding that “his inquisitiveness, curiosity and push for high standards is something that will continue to inspire me and all of us at Microsoft.”

Allen’s business influence extended beyond technology, into real estate development, sports and more. He helped rebuild Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood. He owned the Portland Trailblazers and held a minority ownership in the Seattle Sounders FC. When he bought the Seahawks in 1997, Allen was credited for keeping the team in Seattle.

“When we celebrated Paul Allen’s 20th anniversary of ownership in 2017, I said there was no ‘Plan B.’ There was only ‘Plan A’ and that was the Allen Family,” according to a statement from King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer. “In 1997, only one person was willing to take the risk of owning an NFL team when the roof was literally falling in on sports in Seattle. Paul Allen was that one person. Every family that comes together to watch the Seahawks play, whether in Seattle or in London, in their living rooms or at Century Link, should forever be thankful to Paul Allen and the Allen family.”

King County Executive Dow Constantine stated that “it would be difficult to overstate the influence of Paul Allen on our community, and his impact on our collective history.”

“Paul Allen stands as a giant in Washington history for the genius vision that was so important to creating Microsoft with Bill Gates. That he went on to do so much more for our state, nation and the world puts him in rarefied company,” Gov. Jay Inslee said in a statement. “Paul was a major philanthropist who believed in giving at home.”

Inslee praised the “unbelievable work of the Allen Institute for Brain Science” and “the preservation of the world-class Cinerama movie theater.”

“He brought us a Super Bowl championship, a reverence for Jimi Hendrix and a vision for Seattle that today is home to some of the world’s most innovative biotech research and has been the cradle of the city’s economic boom,” according to Inslee’s statement. “He cared about the larger world, too, stepping up to fight Ebola and working to preserve endangered animals. He exposed the dark depths of oceans and pioneered privately funded space flight.”

Constantine noted that Allen also “created our popular culture museum” and “created a vast new UW library.”

Allen “personified Washington state — innovative, caring and always willing to fight for equal rights for all,” Inslee wrote, adding that he and his wife Trudi “join people all over the world in sending our thoughts to Paul’s family and friends.”

Further information about any funeral or memorial services will be released as it becomes available, according to Vulcan’s statement.