S. "Soma" Somasegar

"It's hard to articulate how much of an impact Soma had on me and Aarthi. He spotted us out of undergrad, made sure we got our first jobs, spent time with us though he was a senior executive at Microsoft and we were random junior people. We genuinely wouldn't have the lives and careers we have now without him."

"Soma and I were friends for almost 38 years. Of the thousands of people who interacted with him, I have never heard even the slightest negative opinion expressed about him. EVER. THAT IS A LIFE WELL LIVED."

"He was 'one of one,' and the model of being a servant leader when we were peers reporting to Bob Muglia and Satya Nadella. Love that man."

"Rest in peace, S. Somasegar. I reached out to him through a cold email, not expecting a reply, but he responded with kindness. He spoke to me calmly, guided me. Thank you for your guidance and kindness, sir."

"He always made time to mentor people, encourage founders, and support the community with kindness and simplicity. So many people grew because of his guidance, advice, and belief in them."

"He showed me again and again how someone can rise above selfish motives and genuinely help others. He restored my faith in humanity when I needed it most."

"A dear friend, a mentor, and one of the finest people I have had the privilege of knowing. Whether speaking with first-time founders, engineers, or friends navigating difficult moments, Soma always made people feel supported and encouraged."

"What set Soma apart was that he always had time for you. He was one of the busiest people in Seattle tech and somehow never acted like it. The connections he built were not transactional. They were deep and lasting."

"You never had to answer the texts but you always did. You never had to spend hours on the phone providing advice but always did. Always encouraging, always positive and most importantly always real."

"I know I'm not alone in my stories of being young and gently schooled. His generosity in helping me solve the insolvable. RIP. Love to all."

"He never made conversations transactional. Be it career, cricket, sponsorships, or simply showing up when someone needed support, he always made time for people."

"Soma was a legendary figure in our industry, but what made him truly unforgettable was the profound grace and stillness he brought into every room. When I served as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Madrona, he quickly became my compass. Our conversations always transcended standard business metrics: he cared deeply about the human being behind the leader. I will always cherish the memories of our shared meals, his lighthearted humor, his deep spiritual grounding, and his absolute devotion to his family. He taught me by example that true leadership comes from a calm heart and an unwavering respect for others."

"He approached every situation assuming positive intention, assuming the best in the person, and helping them find their path to the best outcome. He had an aura of playfulness and wisdom at the same time."

"Soma changed the trajectory of my professional life in a way I couldn't imagine. His humility was something that always struck me — how quickly he responded to my emails, never said no to a request to meet."

"Soma was the epitome of kindness, a key leader for the Seattle startup ecosystem and a personal mentor. He would always offer insightful comments and strong mentorship for those who needed it."

"His innate ability to focus on the smallest of details was truly uncanny, but what set him apart was how he treated people. He made everyone feel valued, empowered, and seen."

"Words cannot describe the impact you have made over four decades across Microsoft, Seattle, and the broader tech community. You are a true legend."

"I feel honored to have worked closely with Soma for many years in DevDiv, NT, and other periods. He was an amazing leader, a visionary, and a fantastic human."

"You demonstrated how to turn passion into a successful career and create a bright future. You will be missed but will continue to inspire every young entrepreneur dreaming of future success."

"I'm in disbelief! Our association started when we hosted this legend at Microsoft in June 2015. Since then, you have been such a great mentor and role model for me. I've not made a single big decision without counseling with you. What an incredible impact and legacy you are leaving behind."

"I had the privilege of working with Soma for many years at Microsoft. Beyond being an exceptional executive and visionary leader, Soma was someone who genuinely cared about people. One memory I will always treasure was when Soma took the time to review and sign my book, I'm Tired. That gesture reflected exactly who he was — someone who always encouraged and uplifted others."

"Soma was a gem of a person, genuine with down to earth humility. I got to know Soma over the years — from the creation of the India Dev Center in 1998, the early days of .NET, and as a family friend. The great successes he had did not change the person — his smile was as sweet as ever! I feel lucky to have known him."

"We are heartbroken. Soma was one of a kind with his sweet unassuming presence and ever smiling face. I met Soma for the first time at our house in 1999 and he made such a mark with his sincerity and generosity. He is why I am here at Microsoft with a career spanning 26 years — I owe my first job in Windows to him. He was always present and showed up in my life and countless others!"