Micron chief Steve Appleton dies in plane crash

STEVE APPLETON, chief executive of semiconductor firm Micron, has died in a small plane crash.

"Our hearts go out to his wife, Dalynn, his children and his family during this tragic time," the company said in a statement.

"Steve's passion and energy left an indelible mark on Micron, the Idaho community and the technology industry at large."

Appleton spent his entire career with Micron, taking over as CEO in 1994. Under Appleton's reign, the company expanded its reach into the memory market and worked with Intel to innovate smaller and more efficient fabrication methods.

According to local news reports, Appleton was piloting his personal aircraft when he crashed near a runway at the Boise Airport in Idaho. Nobody else was in the plane at the time.

An avid pilot, Appleton had previously been injured in a 2004 plane crash.

Word of Appleton's death has sent shockwaves throughout the business world, particularly in the semiconductor sector. The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), for which Appleton served as a board member, said it was saddened to hear the news.

"Steve was recognized just this past November with the industry's highest honor, the Robert N. Noyce Award, in recognition of his immense contributions to the semiconductor industry and our country," the SIA said in a statement.

"[The] SIA extends its deepest sympathies to Steve's family and the entire Micron community."

Appleton is also being mourned by the local community, including his alma mater Boise State University.

"Boise State lost one of its own today," said university president Bob Kustra.

"He played a critical role in transforming Boise State into a research university serving the tech economy of Idaho. I valued his friendship, his generous support, and especially the advice and counsel he provided me personally as we navigated our way through the recent recession." µ