Steve Appleton of Micron dies in plane crash

LONDON – Steve Appleton, chairman and CEO of memory chip vendor Micron Technology Inc., died in plane crash Friday (Feb. 3) in Boise, Idaho.

Appleton, 51, led Micron as CEO since 1994, having joined the company in 1983.

He was the only passenger in an experimental fixed-wing plane when it crashed at Boise airport, according to an Associated Press report.

Micron's board of directors 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, an avid experimental pilot, had walked away from a plane crash in 2004. On that incident, he was injured when his stunt plane crashed in the desert east of Boise.

Born and raised in California, Appleton attended Boise State University and joined Micron shortly after graduation in 1983. He rose through the organization to become president and COO in 1991 before taking the position of CEO in 1994.

As well as serving on Micron's board, Appleton served on the boards of Sematech and the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA). In November 2011 Appleton was awarded the 2011 Robert N. Noyce Award by the SIA in recognition of his significant contribution to the U.S. semiconductor industry.

In its statement, Micron said it expects to provide additional information about Appleton's death later today.




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