My grandfather, Peter F. Drucker, passed away this morning. The news has just started to get out, but already there have been many write-ups of his life and death; but the best ones so far are by Bloomberg (summarizes his life story) and Business Week.
For me it is a strange feeling to adjust to his passing, even though at age 95 it was not entirely unexpected. My grandfather was the central pillar of my family and was a huge personal and professional inspiration to me, and to countless others around the world who studied with him, read his books, and worked with him over the years. He lived a legendary life, founded the field of management science, helped define modern corporations, originated the concept of the "knowledge worker," and wrote more than 30 books. He was also a professor, historian, economist and social theorist. In his spare time (for fun), as well as reading encyclopedias, biographies, histories and the entire literary corpus of western civilization (several times over), he collected and studied classical Japanese and Chinese paintings, eventually becoming a professor of Japanese art. And in addition to this, he also devoted tremendous time and energy to working with nonprofits, governments, non-governmental organizations and religious organizations.
My memories of him are of long walks as a child in the mountains, discussing history, philosophy, business, and the future of civilization. He was the person who taught me how to divine the future from the past, and to analyze the nature of systems of all kinds. Although I was no match for his photographic memory and vast knowledge, I was able to learn patterns and approaches from him that have served me in everything I have done. I’ll also remember the feeling of his home where, amongst the minimalist imagery of the Japanese and Chinese ink paintings he collected, and walls upon walls of books, there was always a tangible sense of being in the presence of a sage. As I grew up and he grew more famous, I remember that whenever I visited him there was a constant flow of leaders coming to meet with him, interview him, or simply to ask for his insight and advice. He truly was a guru.
He was a great man, a Renaissance Man — the kind that comes along only once in a century. He will be missed.
Social tagging: Family
Peter Drucker, RIP
I had almost come to believe that Peter Drucker was immortal, but sadly it’s not so. He died earlier today, at 95. Drucker was one of the great writers on business and management, who over a career of 70 years tirelessly championed the dignity and the …
Peter Drucker, RIP
I had almost come to believe that Peter Drucker was immortal, but sadly it’s not so. He died earlier today, at 95. Drucker was one of the great writers on business and management, who over the course of 70 years tirelessly championed the dignity and th…
Rest in peace, Peter Drucker
It’s a shame people like this don’t live on and on, but at least the world had the privilege of his company for 95 years. In addition to an amazing analytical mind, he had the ability to express, with simple
Peter Drucker, RIP
I had almost come to believe that Peter Drucker was immortal, but sadly it’s not so. He died earlier today, at 95. Drucker was one of the great writers on business and management, who over the course of 70 years tirelessly championed the dignity and th…
Peter Drucker, RIP
I had almost come to believe that Peter Drucker was immortal, but sadly it’s not so. He died earlier today, at 95. Drucker was one of the great writers on business and management, who over the course of 70 years tirelessly championed the dignity and th…
Peter Drucker, RIP
I had almost come to believe that Peter Drucker was immortal, but sadly it’s not so. He died earlier today, at 95. Drucker was one of the great writers on business and management, who over the course of 70 years tirelessly championed the dignity and th…
Management Guru Peter Drucker 1909-2005
Management expert Peter Drucker passed away at age 95. Peter F. Drucker Information from Claremount University.
In 2002, Peter Ferdinand Drucker was awarded the United States Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Peter Drucker passed away
I have just come across a very sad news. Peter Drucker has passed away at the age of 95. I got the news through Nova Spivack, Peter Drucker’s grandson. For those who don’t know Peter Drucker yet, Nova’s post
Peter Drucker passed away
I have just come across a very sad news. Peter Drucker has passed away at the age of 95. I got the news through Nova Spivack, Peter Drucker’s grandson. For those who don’t know Peter Drucker yet, Nova’s post
Peter Drucker, RIP
Ive written about Peter Drucker quite a bit in the past: here, here, here, and here. He was the first to understand the concept of a knowledge worker (he coined the term), and foresaw the significant ramifications of that evolution…
Peter Drucker ist tot
Peter Drucker ist vorgestern im Alter von 95 Jahren gestorben.
He lived a legendary life, founded the field of management science, helped define modern corporations, originated the concept of the knowledge worker, and wrote more than 3…
Peter F. Drucker: Creativity at its best
Peter Ferdinand Drucker
November 19, 1909 – November 11, 2005
You owe it to yourself to bookmark Nova Spivaks Minding the Planet blog on its own merits hes always interesting and often highly creative. But you also …
Peter Drucker, RIP
I had almost come to believe that Peter Drucker was immortal, but sadly it’s not so. He died earlier today, at 95. Drucker was one of the great writers on business and management, who over the course of 70 years tirelessly championed the dignity and th…
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