His [Sam's] company, acquired by Amazon Web Services in 2015, developed software used to deliver internet video to consumer devices.

Sam Blackman, a tech visionary who founded and served as CEO of AWS Elemental, died Aug. 27 [2017] in Portland, Ore., after experiencing cardiac arrest the previous day. He was 41.

After working in engineering roles at Pixelworks, Silicon Graphics and Intel, Blackman launched Elemental Technologies in 2006.

As CEO, he guided the Portland-based company in developing pioneering software used to deliver internet video to consumer devices, and the firm was acquired by Amazon Web Services for $296 million in 2015. Blackman then became the CEO of the rebranded AWS Elemental.

The sudden death of the warm, well-liked executive left his family, friends and colleagues in shock.

“AWS Elemental has lost a passionate, visionary and humble leader, and the world has lost an inspiring human being dedicated to community," the company said in a statement. "Sam's spirit will always be at the core of what we do."....

....Blackman earned a B.S. in electrical engineering from Brown University, an M.S. in electrical engineering from the University of California at Berkeley and an M.B.A. from the University of Oregon.

Survivors include his wife of 12 years, Adriane, his sons Abe and Solly, his brothers Amos and Eli, his mother Susan and his niece Hannah.

"In his private life, he cherished his family, and in his public life he cherished his community and the business he founded, Elemental Technologies," his family said in a statement. "He was a passionate advocate for community service who rallied so many toward a greater good for the environment, hunger, education and inclusion. We are thankful to all those who have shared their thoughts and prayers for Sam."...