Gordon Moore, co-founder and former chairman of Intel, dies aged 94

Gordon Moore, co-founder and former chairman of technology giant Intel, died Friday at the age of 94, the company and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation announced.

A press release stated that Moore died “surrounded by family” in Hawaii.

Moore and Robert Noyce founded Intel in 1968. Moore first served as executive vice president until 1975, when he became president. In 1979, Moore was named chairman and CEO, positions he held until 1987, when he stepped down as CEO and continued as chairman.

Moore became chairman emeritus of Intel in 1997, and retired in 2006.

“Those of us who met and worked with Gordon will forever be inspired by his wisdom, humility and generosity,” foundation president Harvey Fineberg said in a statement. “Although he never aspired to be a household name, Gordon’s vision and his life’s work made possible the phenomenal innovation and technological advances that shape our everyday lives. Yet these historic achievements are only part of his legacy.”

Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger said: “Gordon Moore defined the technology industry through his insight and vision. He was instrumental in revealing the power of transistors, inspiring technologists and entrepreneurs for decades.”

Prior to Intel’s founding, Moore and Noyce were involved in the founding of Fairchild Semiconductor, where they played key roles in the initial commercial production of diffuse silicon transistors and later the world’s first commercially viable integrated circuits.

“The world lost a giant in Gordon Moore, who was one of Silicon Valley’s founders and a true visionary who helped pave the way for the technological revolution,” tweeted Apple CEO Tim Cook. “All of us who followed owe him a debt of gratitude. May he rest in peace.”

With his wife of 72 years, Betty Irene Whitaker, he established the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, which has donated more than $5.1 billion to charitable causes since it was founded in 2000, according to the foundation.

Moore received the National Medal of Technology from President George HW Bush in 1990, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush in 2002.

In addition to his wife, Moore is survived by sons Kenneth and Steven, and four grandchildren.