Roy Clay Sr., the “godfather of Silicon Valley”, dies at the age of 95

Good job, Mr. Clay

Roy Clay Sr., a profound leader in the technology industry whose influence reigned in Silicon Valley for 50 yearsdied at the age of 95, . Clay’s family confirmed that he died on September 29 at his home in Oakland, California after coping with worsening health problems.

Clay was awarded on BLACK ENTERPRISESthe first TechConnext summit in 2015

Known as a key part of the rise of laptop computer and technology giant Hewlett-Packard, Clay has been called the “Godfather of Silicon Valley” for his role in breaking down racial barriers in a predominantly white industry.

He he was the first African The American founded the technology company ROD-L Electronics in 1977. He used his talents to recruit a range of engineers, including math and science graduates from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

Accredited technology leaders like Ken Coleman describe Clay as one of many forgotten, hidden figures in the tech world and say his contributions ought to be celebrated at all costs.

“He should go down in history as one of the leading figures who put Silicon Valley on the map,” Coleman said in TO BE interview.

“He was a technical genius and an incredibly kind and generous man – a shining example of both a professional businessman and a committed citizen and neighbor.”

Since the letters and documents of other distinguished Silicon Valley leaders are historically archived, Clay made sure his story was told in his own words in his 2022 memoir: “Unstoppable: The Extraordinary Story of the Silicon Valley Godfather” with the help of his sons and biographer M. H. Jackson. Clay’s journey into the tech industry began by doing school work by candlelight while growing up in Missouri until his father learned the right way to install electricity in the house.

Clay’s mother instilled in him the importance of education at an early age, which resulted in Clay being one of the first black Americans to graduate from an all-white school in a former slave state. The technology pioneer earned a level in mathematics from the University of St. Louis, because of which he got an interview for an engineer position at McDonnell Aircraft Manufacturing in St. Louis.

However, Clay was refused because the company had no work for “professional Negroes.”

This experience didn’t discourage Clay from pursuing his profession in technology. Clay moved to California to take a job at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and work on radiation-tracking software that might allow him to map the aftermath of a nuclear explosion. He celebrated this achievement in his book.

“I used to be not that poor little black kid from an isolated Midwestern town. I used to be breaking barriers in a brand new field of technology and making groundbreaking achievements,” he wrote.

“If only the boys at the pool house could see me now.”

Clay made further progress outside the world of technology. , pioneer he was a community leadermaking history as the first African American to serve on the Palo Alto City Council and later becoming vice mayor. He was also an avid golfer and have become the first black member of one of the oldest athletic clubs in the country, the Olympic Club. The technology guru also had the future title of club president.

His son, Chris, also a SAP executive, says his dad was determined to beat the odds and proudly calls him “Dad.”

“Even though early in his career he was rejected from a job solely because of his race, he was determined to succeed, guided primarily by the advice of his mother, who advised him early in life to never let racism be the reason for failure.” Chris said.

“By combining his education with a strong work ethic, true concern for people and an unstoppable spirit, he was able to blaze a trail for himself and others. He was successful wherever he worked, breaking down barriers and opening doors for others.”

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