Apple Director Jerry York Dead at 71

Sad news in Cupertino today. Apple board member Jerome York has died after reportedly suffering a brain aneurysm. York, who was 71, served on Apple’s board for about 13 years after being appointed in 1997, along with Oracle (ORCL) CEO Larry Ellison, Intuit (INTU) President William Campbell and Apple CEO Steve Jobs himself. His appointment was announced on the same day Apple (AAPL) revealed Microsoft’s (MSFT) $150 million investment in the company.

“Jerry joined Apple’s Board in 1997 when most doubted the company’s future. He has been a pillar of financial and business expertise and insight on our Board for over a dozen years,” CEO Steve Jobs said in a statement. “It’s been a privilege to know and work with Jerry, and I’m going to miss him a lot.”

Apple has posted a full-page memorial to York on the front page of Apple.com.