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- Mark Hurd, co-CEO of database giant Oracle, died Friday at age 62.
- Hurd's death follows news in September that he was taking a leave of absence "to spend time focused on my health."
- Immediately after news of his passing broke, Oracle employees took to Twitter to mourn the CEO and express their condolences to his friends and family.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
Oracle CEO Mark Hurd died on Friday at the age of 62, just over a month after he took a leave of absence from the company to focus on his health.
Oracle founder and CTO Larry Ellison announced the news in a post on Hurd's personal website.
"Mark was my close and irreplaceable friend, and trusted colleague. Oracle has lost a brilliant and beloved leader who personally touched the lives of so many of us during his decade at Oracle," Ellison wrote. "I know that many of us are inconsolable right now, but we are left with memories and a sense of gratitude…that we had the opportunity to get know Mark, the opportunity to work with him…and become his friend."
Read more: Oracle CEO Mark Hurd has died at the age of 62
Hurd joined Oracle in 2010, and was named co-CEO with Safra Catz after Elison stepped down from the position in 2014. Previously, Hurd served as CEO of Hewlett-Packard, where his tenure ended amid allegations of sexual harassment (though the company found no evidence of wrongdoing, apart from irregularities in his expense reports.)
After news of Hurd's passing broke, Oracle employees immediately took to social media to mourn.
"Saddened at the loss of our leader, Mark Hurd," Ann Rombach, Oracle's principal talent advisor, wrote on Twitter. "He was blissfully unapologetic about his fierce competitive nature, and drive to win."
Tweet Embed://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1185222855165788160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Saddened at the loss of our leader, Mark Hurd. I'll never forget gathering in the atrium of the Oracle campus and hearing him talk to the Responsys team about coming over to Oracle. He was blissfully unapologetic about his fierce competitive nature, and drive to win. RIP.
Other Oracle employees recounted stories of their experiences interacting with and working alongside him.
Tweet Embed://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1185220329309900800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Just got word our CEO and leader Mark Hurd passed away, sad day @Oracle, glad I had an opportunity to interact with him during my time here. My thoughts are with his family and extended Oracle family during this timeTweet Embed:
//twitter.com/mims/statuses/1185224832608362496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
My heart and condolences go out to Mark Hurd and his family. As a member of the @Oracle family, words simply cannot express the sadness that his family, the Oracle family and many around the world are feeling about his loss. #RIPMarkHurd #MarkHurd pic.twitter.com/7CR6fq4zI5Tweet Embed:
//twitter.com/mims/statuses/1185231904305364992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
@MarkHurd He was an amazing leader and a true mentor for my entire first year at Oracle. I will miss him dearly. https://t.co/4VMyfGI03L
Others in the tech industry also took to Twitter to share stories and talk about his legacy in the tech world.
Tweet Embed://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1185229389308612608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Saddened by the loss of Mark Hurd. He was a self-made success in the industry & presided over mega accomplishments. While we competed vigorously in the market, we enjoyed professional respect. My heartfelt prayers are with Mark's family on this solemn day.Tweet Embed:
//twitter.com/mims/statuses/1185230914596626433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Incredibly sad news today. Mark Hurd has passed at the age or 62. Mark was always a professional, willing to take on any challenge, and was a real asset to both @Oracle and the tech industry. I always enjoyed our conversations, & he will be missed. R.I.P. https://t.co/KJOFJTeOyATweet Embed:
//twitter.com/mims/statuses/1185227626023178240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
What a loss, Mark Hurd of Oracle and Hewlett-Packard has passed. I had the chance to meet and chat with him a bit during my stint at HP. Love to his family and friends. He mattered; I know you know that but it felt right for me to say it ❤️ https://t.co/cg3P3Nk5pM
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