I met Steve Thornton almost exactly 20 years ago, when I taught a lithography class at AMD in Austin. Shortly after that I moved to Austin, and Steve and I become good friends. He worked in litho at AMD/Spansion for something over 20 years. Steve and I wrote the first paper on “tuning” the lithography simulator PROLITH to match experimental data in 1996, an idea that eventually led to the development of the AutoTune product. I still look at that paper as one of the best that I wrote. Now, thanks to OPC, calibrating lithography simulators seems routine, but it was new and interesting stuff 15 years ago. But mostly the time I spent with Steve was spent drinking beer, fishing and floating on lake Travis, arguing politics, and complaining about the semiconductor industry. Usually doing all of these things simultaneously.
Steve died yesterday after a year-long struggle with cancer. He had not yet reached the age of 50. His daughter Kelly is 9 years old, and his wife Phuong still works at Spansion. I have trouble even trying to imagine what they are going through. My heart goes out to them, and to all of Steve’s family and friends that, like me, can’t yet feel what it will be like to miss him.
Steve’s obituary in the Austin American Statesman: http://www.legacy.com/obitu…
Hi Chris,
For reason of missing my beloved friend and husband, I decided to browse through the web to reconnect with the past. I came across this article you wrote and I thought to myself that both Steve and I were very fortunate to have met such a wonderful man that you are, and we loved you like a brother. Kelly and I are glad to have you and Susan in our lives.
I know that we all miss Steve dearly and I also know that the memories of him will forever be remembered by me, Kelly, and our dearest friends.
I feel that I have done well as a single mother since Steve’s passing, but there are times when I wish Kelly still has her daddy around for her to love and cherish. Even now, she would remind me every little things that she and her daddy had shared and that something that I can never accommodate. I would tell Kelly that it’s okay because I will never expect her to feel differently about her daddy, now or ever. Bless her little heart and bless all of our friends for being so understanding and supportive. For that, I’m the most fortunate woman in the world.
Love always…
Phuong