Bill kindly keynoted our WORKTECH event in New York. His talk was inspirational.

I can’t begin to express the gratitude I have for the life of this man that I never met. He made it possible for me to dream about impacting the world through Design, something that seems unlikely to do as Design is only now, in the 21st Century, receiving the attention that deems it important to the lives of people. The late Bill’s books have been an eye opener to me and millions around the world. His Stanford Lectures were an eye opener to millions around the world. He really is a light that shone on the Earth and inspires me to rise to the task of influencing the lives of many positively through design.

Bill. I am thankful for you though I never met you. It is sad you will never know that you changed my life forever through your gracious gift. May you have safe passage to the place laid out for you. I am grateful you lived, hopefully someone else will be as grateful when I am no more. Goodbye Bill.

This was a note I sent to Bill before he passed … it summed it up for me. I attempted some levity and optimism, no closure here —his gifts and wisdom live on.

Hi Bill (and Karin),

I hear you are in quite a fight. I’m glad you are back in our adopted sunny California. In fact, I was talking to a young designer today, reminiscing, and I found myself telling him about how your phone call back in the summer of 1987 is the reason I am out here. Then, how fate would take it from there — now, finding myself with a beautiful family and a nifty way of making a living from home … yeah, I did say “nifty” :-)

I also told him about your advice to ‘disconnect’ as a problem solver, and about how generous you were in the creative process — both have helped me to be better over the years. You also always managed to find a skill or trait to hail in people. I enjoyed being called on by you, even just for some nice sketches.

Then, upon leaving IDEO, when I was seeking my less ambitious path, you had some encouraging words: “a balanced life is its own reward” … which is practically my motto now. (Well that, and … “never waste a good opportunity to nap”.)

Thinking of you.

Your loyal employee and friend,

Chris (Loew)

I worked for Bill while he was the Director of the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in NYC. He was a great leader and always a joy to be around. He will be missed.

As his IT Manager — and me not having a design bone in my body — he would always ask me in passing, “Are you thinking design today?”

That was Bill, a true innovator.