Adobe’s co-founder John Warnock dies at 82

Technology entrepreneur John Warnock, co-founder of Adobe, died on Saturday at age 82, the company said in a statement.

The cause of his death wasn’t disclosed.

Warnock created the San Jose-based company in 1982 with Charles Geschke and served as chief executive officer until 2000 and as chief technical officer until his retirement in 2001.

He was also chairman of the board for nearly three decades until 2017, sharing that position with Geschke for most of that time.

Warnock remained on the company’s board of directors until his death. Geschke died in 2021 at the age of 81.

It is with profound sadness we share the passing of our beloved co-founder, Dr. John Warnock. One of the greatest inventors of our generation, his indomitable spirit and innovations leave an enduring impact on Adobe and the world. Rest in peace, John. ❤️ https://t.co/Lfbhnoe5Dr pic.twitter.com/NiYNiMhEos

— Adobe (@Adobe) August 20, 2023

The pair first met as colleagues at Xerox Holdings. Their first product was PostScript, which helped spark the desktop publishing revolution.

“My interactions with John over the past 25 years have been the highlight of my professional career,” Adobe’s chief executive officer Shantanu Narayen wrote in an email to employees. “While he was my role model and mentor, I am most grateful to count him as a friend.”

Warnock prior to Adobe

Prior to founding Adobe, Warnock was a principal scientist at Xerox Palo Alto Research Center and held positions at Evans & Sutherland Computer, Computer Sciences, IBM and the University of Utah, according to the company’s biography.

He held a doctorate in electrical engineering, a master in mathematics and a bachelor in mathematics and philosophy, all from the University of Utah.

Warnock is survived by his wife, Marva and three children.