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Alan Shugart Obituary
Shugart helped pioneer the multibillion dollar hard drive industry, in which Seagate now holds the leading market position. He helped start the company in 1979 and served as its chief executive officer until 1998.
Described by some as a maverick, Shugart was well known for his colorful personality that included an effort to get his dog to run for Congress. The unsuccessful ploy - a statement against the inability of voters to have a none-of-the-above choice on ballots - became the topic of one of his three books, "Ernest Goes to Washington (Well, Not Exactly)."
Shugart died Tuesday at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, said Seagate spokeswoman Julie Still. He was admitted last week and died of complications from heart surgery he underwent six weeks ago.
He was still working until the day of his death, checking e-mails for his company, Al Shugart International, a startup incubator based in Santa Cruz, Still said.
Shugart was known for wearing Hawaiian shirts to work, but still commanded deep respect from his employees, his associates said Wednesday.
"He was just his own man. He was very comfortable in his own skin and he didn't have to do things to gain endorsements from other people," fellow Seagate founder Finis Conner said in a phone interview Wednesday.
Shugart was described as a great leader, who had integrity and a hands-off management style. He worked well with engineers, helping them achieve their goals - an important skill in the high-tech industry, his associates said.
"In this world of offices and cubicles, he had this ability to strip away titles and looked at every person as a real human being, whether you're an operator or a chief operating officer. He was a great person," said Bill Watkins, who became Seagate's chief executive in 2003 after serving as executive vice president and chief operating officer.
Watkins recalled how he made a last-minute decision in 1998 to join Seagate instead of its then-competitor Maxtor Corp., which Seagate acquired earlier this year.
Dressed in a bright floral Hawaiian shirt, shin-length bell bottoms, red socks and sandals, Shugart "talked to me about life and dogs and all sorts of weird stuff, which was an interesting way to recruit me," Watkins recalled. "I told my wife that night, 'I'm not sure about Seagate, but after spending time with this guy, I want to work for him."'
Born in Los Angeles, Shugart attended the University of Redlands where he earned a degree in engineering physics.
He joined IBM Corp. in 1951 and was among the original team of developers there who built the first computer disk drive 50 years ago.
After 18 years at IBM, he worked as a vice president at Memorex International Inc. before founding Shugart Associates in 1973. That company was acquired by Xerox Corp., and Shugart and Conner went on to start Shugart Technology - later renamed Seagate Technology - which is based in the Cayman Islands but operates out of Scotts Valley.
Seagate built the industry's first 5.25-inch hard drive for personal computers in 1980, and with Shugart at the helm, became a leading provider of hard disk drives.
But Seagate and its rivals faced tough competition and lean profits in the 1990s, and Shugart was ousted in 1998 amid concerns of the company's survival.
The company, which went private for two years in 2000, has since rebounded.
Shugart also had served on the boards of numerous companies, including SanDisk Corp., Inktomi Corp., Cypress Semiconductor Corp. His contributions, which led to industry awards, will not be forgotten, his associates said.
During the 1980s, he had a tough time trying to convince investors that hard drives were going to be part of the future, Watkins said.
"The first Seagate drive was 5-megabytes, and no one believed that anyone would need 5 megabytes of storage," Watkins said. "But (Shugart) kept saying, 'People are going to need storage."'
Today, hard drives are a $28 billion industry. Worldwide sales are predicted to balloon to $41.5 billion in 2010, according to market research IDC.
Shugart is survived by his wife, Rita, four daughters, a son and seven grandchildren.
Copyright © 2006 The Associated Press
86 Entries
Gerald
March 16, 2021
I didn't know him well, but, one day I called Seagate on behalf of a nonprofit organization upon whose Board I was sitting, and was actually astounded that Al himself answered the phone. We connected instantly and over the years stayed in loose touch. I respected him as a man and as a business leader. We were both entrepreneurs of sorts -- him with more successful than me -- but risk takers nonetheless. Al reminds me in some ways of my mentor Lou Platt -- didn't talk often but when we did, his kindness, disposition, and way of advising and encouraging was pricelsss. Was sorry to learn of his passing. God bless his family and closest friends, of which there were many.
John Manzione
January 26, 2010
I met him once at the wedding of his step-daughter in Pebble Beach. Nice man, great family and he had a smile worth everything. I will never forget him, nor his lovely wife, Rita, mother of my third cousin, her daughter. My best to his entire family and I've said prayers on behalf of this obviously giving man.
JONH GOODMAN
September 18, 2009
UM I DIDNT KNOW THE GUY BUT HE'LL BE MISSEED
Richard Anderson
January 30, 2009
Hi Al:
See you on the other side!
I enjoyed the Memorex, Seagate ride.
Richard Anderson
How you can show support
Michelle & Lynville Lee
January 9, 2009
Late but not forgotten. You were simply the best leader ever. Touched so many lives and motivated all. A toast to you and thanks for opening paths we didn't know existed.
Dennis Van Dyke
May 19, 2007
Al was the quiet man behind Seagate that helped many of us make a decent living during the Silicon Days of the '80s and '90s. I still mention the honor of knowing the true founder of the disk drive. technology.
David Bumgardner
April 19, 2007
I first met Al in 1987. I joined Seagate in their Storage Systems division and later became a part of the drive division.It was an honor to know him and to work with him over the many years. He will be missed
Roland Shaw
January 25, 2007
Many years ago Alan and I were fishing buddies on the grounded freighter south of Santa Cruz. In later years we grew apart, but I always consedered him a friend. He will be missed by the many who knew him.
Vicki Wiget
January 13, 2007
The last seven years working for Al was just as rewarding as when I worked for him during the early days of Seagate. All the many wonderful things that people have said about him are so true. As a finance person, I especially appreciated Al's tremendous integrity. It was a lesson to all. I mourn the loss of Al and miss the thousand little things he said and did everyday...Thanks Al for all the laughs and for believing in me.
My sympathy goes out to the family for their great loss.
Angie Tarantino
January 13, 2007
I am so sorry to hear of Al's passing. He was an ispiration to me, and will forever have touched my life.
Arturo G. Fallico, iV.
January 6, 2007
I have known the Shugart family since Saratoga High School - he was a genius of a man, and will be missed by many! I'll say a special prayer for Al at church tomorrow.
Bruce Johnson
January 2, 2007
In 1989, just as the Seagate purchase of Imprimis was materializing, I walked by two white haired gentlemen smoking outside our building in Minnetonka, MN. Overheard the one fellow say "Well Doug, do you think it's worth it?". To which the other fellow responded: "I don't know Al, I sure hope so." The conversation was, of course, between Al Shugart and Doug Mann, the CTO of Seagate.
Many thanks to Al for his vision and gift to create a successful Seagate in the face of so many other companies who met failure.
Martin Hegarty
January 1, 2007
I'm just a humble employee of Seagate Technology in Northern Ireland, but unlike a lot of employees here today, back in 1998 I was lucky enough to meet him, it was a unique experience for me, I will never forget that and wish to convey my sincere condolences to the family, he touched the hearts of everyone he met from his wisdom right to his love of life as we know it. I dont know if anyone from here has conveyed their condolences but as a 12 year serving employee of the best company in the world, I for one will miss him its a tremendous loss for everyone, he enjoyed life and in my brief encounter with him, never would let anything stand in his way of living life to the full.
David & Lucy Kalstrom
December 30, 2006
My Husband and I were so deeply saddened to learn of Al passing. We had the privilege of working for Seagate. What a great place to work, Seagate paid my college tuition, I met my husband there and I worked with the greatest Legend in the Disk Drive Industry Al Shugart. What an honor to have had the opportunity to meet Al and work for Seagate in the 80’s. Our prayers go out to the entire Shugart family.
Tom Lusi
December 23, 2006
I'm so sorry for the lost of this truely great man. We've lost another icon, that will truely be missed. Let's all put on a hawaiian shirt and rise your glass to toast this great man one more time. You will be missed.
Aloha
Victoria Woods
December 20, 2006
The following is a minor "story" compared with all the others, something definitely from the fringes, but I thought I'd add it to the mix.
In 1978/9, I was as far removed from the computer industry as Jupiter is from Earth. My Clogging (a dance form similar to "River Dance") partner in San Jose responded politely when asked what he did for a living with, "I work for Al Shugart at Shugart & Associates." "Oh," I responded equally politely, "And what do they do?" "They make floppy disks." "What?" I giggled, convinced he was making a joke. I had never heard such a silly term for something "important" in my life and was convinced he had been "pulling my leg." He tried to explain several times, but I giggled at the term every time he used it.
I was later quite chagrined when I learned that Shugart & Associates and floppy disks actually existed. That was my introduction to all things "computer" and the education since has been ongoing and never-ending. Thank you, Mr. Shugart, for your "silly term." Researching it opened up a whole new world for me. RIP
James Peterson
December 20, 2006
I had the pleasure of chatting with Mr.S a few times in the gate 9 "smoke tent", as he put it (MSP facility). Even though he was at the top of the heap, his sense of humor was genuine and comforting. During one of these encounters he pointed at a Seagate sign and said, "Do you know what the S stands for"? Before I could answer he added, "You’ll find out"...... He “did it his way”, including take the S out of Seagate - his encore?
Karen Seifert
December 18, 2006
Keep it Simple, my friend.
Gary Lundquist
December 18, 2006
We
got to meet Al and Rita when they graced the opening of the new Seagate
facility here in Penang. What an inspiration to have Al come
here quarterly to share with us magnetic head folks! Our thoughts and
prayers are with your whole family.
Bart von Zastrow
December 17, 2006
Al,
I'll never forget laughing with you about an expense for "equine massage therapy". Thanks for all the opportunity and experiences. Deepest condolences to Rita, Chris, Teri, Jill, Mia, Dana and of course the dogs.
Hasta la Vista,
Phil Stillman
December 16, 2006
My condolences to you, Chris and Terri, and to your whole family, on the loss of your dad.
Ray Harding
December 15, 2006
I remember a conversation that I had with Al in which we disagreed about what to look for in filling a senior level position. His point: He always looked for character first (most important) and competency/skills second when making a hiring decision. Well, over the years I’ve found that you can develop competencies - but character, as Al suggested, is what sets a great leader apart from the ordinary. Al had great character and I feel very fortunate to have had the chance to work with him.
Al, we will miss you and your wonderful containers of cookies and candy.
Debi Otto
December 15, 2006
I had the privilege of working for Seagate while Al was at the helm. He fostered a real entrepreneurial environment allowing us to run our operations like they were our own business. I am so deeply saddened to learn of his passing. He was a true legend and I am honored to have had the opportunity to meet him and work for the Seagate that he founded. My prayers go out to the entire Shugart family.
Debbie DuCey
December 15, 2006
At Seagate, Al always had a big bowl of candy in his office, an ant farm on his desk, a "regular" shirt and tie hanging up (in case he had to meet with lawyers), and he always made sure the coffee was on before anyone else arrived in the morning. The man had his priorities straight. He enjoyed life. He was a kind-hearted person in a cold-hearted industry. Al, you will be deeply missed.
Wei Hsie
December 15, 2006
All Comits fall so are you. The brilliance emitted during the passage shone through the darken sky.
Lofe is only a star at dawn, a bubble in a stream;a flash of lightning in a summer cloud,
a flickering lamp, a phantom, and a dream.
Embark on your next journey with your new awakening.
Richard Certo
December 15, 2006
Al,
Thanks for the lessons in business and in life. More than any thing else, I know you had the last laugh.
Richard Certo
Student
Paul Griffin
December 15, 2006
I was deeply saddened to hear this news. I had some terrific years with Seagate back in the '90s but without doubt the highlights were the occasions when I got to spend some time with The Boss and got to know him just a little bit. He was truly an inspiration. I remember well when he was not particularly young, and also had back trouble, every quarter he would fly around the world to every major Seagate site to "report" (his word, not mine) to all the employees on the performance and outlook for the company. It was through this completely natural ability to touch and motivate everyone at every level that laid the foundation for what Seagate is today - a truly great company. He also had a wicked sense of humour - and I was priveleged to be on the receiving end on a couple of occasions. My deepest sympathy to Rita and his family.
Connie Wilson
December 15, 2006
Al, always had a smile for everyone, and only had to meet you once to remember your name. He will be missed. My prayers go out to his family.
Norm Dion
December 14, 2006
Even though we were the same age, Al Shugart was not only my mentor, he was also my roll model and qualified 'National Treasure.'
P.S. In addition I would like to echo the words of Chuck Carey.
Nick Arnett
December 14, 2006
When I was a reporter, I talked to Al frequently and enjoyed every opportunity. Unlike the vast majority of top leaders, Al managed to combine kindness and toughness. I don't know how many times I've quoted him over the years, particularly, "Cash is more important than your mother" (which was hyperbole, of course). I loved his standard answer to any question that called for a prediction of Seagate's future: "We will survive." He'd add that beyond surviving, who knows. Just a terrific guy... I'm sure I'll continue to think of him regularly, remembering his attitude toward life and people more than anything he said or did.
Herbert Molina
December 14, 2006
In the name of my wife Ana, my daughters Valerie and Leslie and mine we would like to express our most deepest sympathy for Al's recent lost specially to Rita and the rest of Alan's family durig these times of sorrow and sadness for his departure. I personally will always remember Al as the hardest working man in the business, always willing to help and mentor people regarding of his status within the company and the industry. We will always remember Al's smile and sense of humor at any Seagate meetings and President's Club where he simply was one more of the guys attending these events. Que Viva Al Shugart!...Que viva su legado!
Syed Iftikar
December 14, 2006
Al, you were a great boss with a remarkable vision, a loyal friend and a colorful character. You claimed that your greatest talent was hiring the right people and making great tacos! I could make the tacos, but lacked your hiring skills. As a member of the Seagate founding team, I have fond memories of you.We will miss you.
Scott Campbell
December 14, 2006
My first job out of the Navy was as a temp doing PC rework at Shugart Associates on Oakmead in 1981. What a true, great Silicon Valley experience that was! Thanks, Al! :)
RAY B. FLYGARE
December 14, 2006
WHAT A GREAT MAN AND TREATED HIS SEAGATE FAMLIY WITH SUCH CARE. I REMEMBER THE 1/4 MEETINGS. HE WAS SUCH A MOTIVATOR. MY SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY. WE WILL NEVER FORGET HIM.
Massoud Dabir
December 14, 2006
My deepest sympathy and condolences to Shurgart's family. I am greatful for having the pleasure of working for such a legend. You'll be greatly missed but never forgotten.
You sure made your mark..
Jack Poole
December 14, 2006
Working with Al provided some of the most exciting, laugh-filled and serious days of my career. Thanks, Al, and Goodbye.
Efim and Nora Bronshvatch
December 14, 2006
A sad day to hear that a man with great mind and personality has gone. Al have changed our life forever and we will always greatfully remember him. Our deepest sympathy to Al's beautiful family.
Rocky Pimentel
December 14, 2006
Al, you have always been a part of me since I worked for you in the first Seagate building (btw the first first building) on El Pueblo Road. I will always admire the character you had to never give up. Thanks so much.
Bert (Beat) Keel
December 14, 2006
To the family of Al:
I spent a few minutes with Al (outside Gate 3 at Normandale Plant in MN ..where the smokers had to hang out!) in bitter MN cold..but felt very comfortable with 'my fellow engineer and fellow husband/father'; he must have felt a bit chilly in his light shirt and CA jacket but he still radiated energy, understanding (of technology & of humanity) & compassion.
No doubt, some came from his DNA/Weltanschauhung/education... much had to do with the family support you provided.
You can be proud of Al...and proud with what you did with Al
Bert Keel
Prior Lake, MN
Tom
December 14, 2006
Al, thank you for the memories... from Shugart Technology to Seagate. See you on the other side. Will miss you.
Kris and David De Lisle
December 14, 2006
My husband and I met when we both started working at Shugart Associates on Oakmead Parkway in 1979. Al had a profound effect on the industry and computing in general. We had great friends at the company. Al, you'll be missed.
John Weyandt
December 14, 2006
Al, thanks so much for being such a great person and leader. We will all miss the "Zoo Keeper".Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Les Neufeld
December 14, 2006
Al was the best leader I ever worked for. I had the utmost respect for him. I'm sure he never new my name but I know in my heart he respected me and my abilities. Seagate has never been the same since he was ousted. Men like him are rare indeed. He will be missed in this world.
Chuck Carey
December 14, 2006
Alan Shugart was indeed sui generis, never to be duplicated or replaced. So long, Al!
John Weinberg
December 14, 2006
Al, you were always a great and colorful personality. Thank you for all the opportunities you afforded me in my career. My deepest sympathy to the Shugart family. Rest in Peace.
Chuck Smith
December 14, 2006
Thanks Al. It was wonderful working for you.
I was a Component Engineer who came to Seagate with the Control Data - Imprimis purchase.
Judi Rhodes
December 14, 2006
What a shock! I worked with Al at Memorex. He promoted me from secretary into the engineering group which gave me a whole new career and ended up working next door to him again years later at Victor Technologies in Scotts Valley. Those were the days! Work hard, play hard.
Bob Martell
December 14, 2006
I was Vice President of Sales in the 80's and worked for Al. It was an honor to do so. God Bless you Al where I'm sure that your puffing on a cigarette and enjoying a good red wine.
Steven Kaczeus
December 14, 2006
Dear Al: It was a great privilage to work for you and having the opportunity to develop some of the Seagate best, early drives: the ST 412 and ST-225.
Steve O'Gara
December 14, 2006
I will miss you, and I feel I missed a golden opportunity to know you better as we were e-mailling about your book. You and I write in a similar way, and I think we would have become good friends. As Seagate's founder and CEO, you treated us as fair as any leader possibly could have.
Thanks Al!,
Steve O'
Bob Parriott
December 14, 2006
I met Al as a customer in my retail store. He was always so bright and colorful in his Hawaiian shirts. What a great contributor to business community and to his family. He will be missed by so many. God Bless you Al.
Bob - Deluxe Foods of Aptos
Renie - Seagate Bloomington
December 14, 2006
Referred to by many as "Uncle Al" such a caring man. My sympathy to friends and family. God Bless
Dave Winpenny
December 14, 2006
I worked for Conner, Seagate Tech and Seagate Software and met Al on 2 occasions when he came to Europe.
What a guy - what a character - a great loss to the industry.
My condolences to his family at this terrible time.
Patti Malone
December 14, 2006
Al, you are Scotts Valley's friend. You woke a sleeping giant. You influenced lives, motivated your employees to work hard and would turn around and co-sign loan papers for their cars. You included all of us in your life and I thank you for this and the memories that changed our lives. My thoughts are with your family. God bless you.
Bill
December 14, 2006
Never meet the man, but greatly appreciated his management style. Because of Seagate, my life has been full and rewarding. He will be missed. Bill
Mary Katynski-Johnson
December 13, 2006
As a former Seagate employee, I was impressed when he personally visited each division quarterly to share his vision. My sympathy is with his family. His free spirit will be missed in the technology world.
Ronnie Tneoh
December 13, 2006
Al is one of the very special human being on earth. He is so casual and down to earth. This is man of wisdom and his legacy will continue. A truly remarkable human. My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Tony Maggio
December 13, 2006
Thanks, Al.
Terry Grewe
December 13, 2006
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Julia
December 13, 2006
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Carson 'Chic' Young, PE/CSM/CET/EHF
December 13, 2006
Alan Shughart is on a list of those we would like to have an advocate nominate for induction into the National Electronics Industry Hall Of Fame. We do induct both living and deceased people who have advanced our Electronic Industry.
Carol Gilbert
December 13, 2006
My sympathy to the family and to this Valley. I was an employee at Seagate Software and always looked forward to his visits. He was the "real deal" and what leadership should be about.
Kulbir Gill
December 13, 2006
Mr. Shugart was a great visionary yet a cordial leader. He was very approachable and would listen to people's input from all level of the company. He will be sorely missed. Thank you for all you done.
Herbert Thompson
December 13, 2006
Al was the managers manager. He would not allow people to work for him, they could only work with him. He always had an encouraging word. We shall miss him.
Jim Fainer
December 13, 2006
A sad day to hear that a man with such great vision has gone. Al was a great guy who helped me greatly. My deepest sympathy to the Shugart family.
Don Reimann
December 13, 2006
This wonderful man had a much to do with the growth of a tremendously valuable industry as anyone. He was a wonderful leader of Seagate and a pleasure to speak with. We have lost a true visionary who made a difference in all of our lives, and stood by his ideals. We will all miss him.
William "Bill" Horn
December 13, 2006
I had the pleasure of meeting Al when Finnis and Al walked into my photography studio on Scotts Valley Drive and asked me to photograph waves for their new company, Seagate. I remember asking what there company was going to build, they replied Hard-Drives I asked what on earth is a hard drive! We all will miss Al Shugart...
Bill Buchan
December 13, 2006
I was part of a start up called Archive in 1980. After being acquired once, Seagate then bought us in 1996. I’ll never forget the wonderful feeling it was to become part of a company that cared for its people. Thanks to Al for making it that way.
Grace
December 13, 2006
To Al's Family:
Please accept my heartfelt sympathy in your time of great sorrow.
Al - You will be missed!
Arthur Astrin
December 13, 2006
Sad, sad day.
From 5MB to 500GB (x 100,000). What a life achievement!
Art Astrin
John Poitras
December 13, 2006
I so admired Al and loved working with him on a second-source license agreement on the original 5 1/4" disk drive. What an honor and so much fun. (I was at IVP where our investment of $500,000 in Shugart Technology turned into $53 million.) Thank you, Al, I miss you.
Sanjiv Kumar Gupta Gupta
December 13, 2006
We lost a great personality.
Peter Montgomery
December 13, 2006
Thanks for your innovative contribution to the disk drive industry. For years, Seagate was the best of breed and the only drives that went in the Novell servers for my clients.
Robert DiMenna
December 13, 2006
I was so sorry to hear of your loss.
Al was a hero to many of us.
It is truly a sad day.
Ken Merson
December 13, 2006
I'm sorry this day has come. I'll miss Al's influence on Scotts Valley and the Santa Cruz region.
Dick Fletcher
December 13, 2006
My deepest sympathy to the Shugart family
Dave Gordon
December 13, 2006
Al,
You started my career in storage systems 36 years ago. It was a wonderful ride. Thanks for everything.
Jerome Jow
December 13, 2006
Teri,
My deepest sympathies for the lost of your father. I hope you've had a wonderful life, and will continue to do so.
Love, Jerome
Randy Gluck
December 13, 2006
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Lynne and William Jolitz
December 13, 2006
Al Shugart may be gone, but his influence on the Silicon Valley technology industry will not be forgotten. Rest in peace, Al.
Teresa Hooks
December 13, 2006
Thank you and God Bless you Mr.Shugart for giving me my first job in silicon valley!
Bill Davis
December 13, 2006
Al was a great guy-from the early days right until the end, he influence my professional life like few leaders could. I won't forget his friendship and guidance.
Mark Schroeder
December 13, 2006
My condolences to his family. A great loss.
Mike Knudsen
December 13, 2006
My first Silicon Valley job was at Shugart Associates. Even though he'd left some time earler, his legacy was embedded in the place. He is a true Silicon Valley founder, inventor, innovator, creator, made and marched to his own drum.
A giant has graduated.
December 13, 2006
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
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