Jony Ive writes touching letter about Steve Jobs a decade after his death

Steve Jobs passed away 10 years ago tomorrow, and in remembrance, former Apple design chief Jony Ive wrote a remembrance of his friend and colleague for WSJ. Magazine. In her first public comments on Jobs since her eulogy in 2011, Ive reflected on her memories of Jobs during her nearly 15-year collaboration.

“We had lunch together almost every day and spent our afternoons in the design studio’s sanctuary,” Ive wrote. “These were some of the happiest, most creative, and joyful times of my life. I loved the way he saw the world. The way he thought about it was deeply beautiful.”

I said that he and Jobs had a common curiosity which formed the basis of a happy collaboration. “He was without a doubt the most curious human I have ever met,” Ive wrote.

“Steve was concerned with the nature and quality of his own thinking,” Ive said. “He expected so much of himself and worked hard to think with rare vitality, elegance and discipline. His thoroughness and tenacity set the bar dizzyingly high. When he couldn’t think satisfactorily, he complained about the same way I complained about my knees. “

Ive believed that Jobs was not distracted by money or power and instead was pushed into doing something useful for mankind.

I left Apple in 2019 to start his own independent design company LoveFrom with fellow designer and longtime friend Marc Newson, and he said he’s still working with Apple, without sharing specific details. I’ve also continued to work with Laurene Powell Jobs, who focuses on philanthropic work through her company Emerson Collective.

“When his bright, curious kids ask me about their dad, I just can’t help myself,” Ive wrote of the Powell Jobs Children. “I can talk happily for hours describing the remarkable man I loved so deeply.”

I ended with a few very touching words:

The last words Steve said to me was that he would miss talking together. I was sitting on the floor next to her bed, my back against the wall.

After his death, I went out into the garden. I remember the sound of the latch on the wooden door as I closed it gently.

In the garden, I sat down and thought how much talking often interferes with listening and thinking. Maybe that’s why we spend so much time together in peace.

I miss Steve desperately and I will always miss not talking to him.

The full recollection can be read on WSJ. Magazine.