Friends, colleagues and admirers remembered Steve Appleton as a competitive achiever who lived life to the fullest.
MARK ADAMS, Micron president
Adams, who joined Micron in 2006, recounted the three bits of business advice Appleton gave him.
“Be aggressive and take risks. Do whatever you can do to win. Get to the right result,” Adams said, using photos from a beach wrestling match between him and Appleton at a Navy SEAL training session to illustrate the advice.
Despite Appleton’s professional triumphs, Adams said, the 51-year-old remained true to his core: “He never let success change who he was.”
SAL FISH, SCORE International CEO and president
Appleton won a grueling 1,017-mile race in Mexico’s Baja California, his first attempt in 2006, said Fish, the chief of the leading sanctioning body for desert racing. But Appleton also gave gifts and donations to the impoverished areas near the course, Fish said.
“His bucket list was not just doing something and putting it on the shelf or telling his buddies he did it,” Fish said. “I learned when he wanted to do something, he did it. He wanted to excel.”
GREG HERRICK, Aviation Foundation of America president
Herrick shared Appleton’s passion for flying. He talked of their adventures in the sky.
Appleton loved to fly float planes in Minnesota, touching down several times on the state’s alleged 10,000 lakes, Herrick said. But when the two headed west, the lakes disappeared. It was a pretty boring flight, Herrick said, noting their planes went only 90 mph. But Herrick spotted a small body of water, a cow pond, surrounded by cows. He jokingly told Appleton he’d meet him on the strip of water ahead — and then kept flying. Soon he lost sight of Appleton. “Where are you?” radioed Herrick. Herrick circled back, looked down and there was Appleton, standing on the float waving at him from the pond.
Herrick had to land, too, but it didn’t go as well for him. He ended up scooting past the edge of the pond into the brush, stepping out into chest-high water.
GREG PATTON, Boise State men’s tennis coach
Appleton won the Big Sky doubles championship in 1982 with a “shattered” right thumb, said Boise State tennis coach Greg Patton, who came to BSU after Appleton played. Appleton taped his hand to the racket to compensate for the injury, Patton said. Appleton often spoke to the Boise State tennis team.
“He made my team understand what a self-made man was all about,” Patton said. “... He worked his way up through hard work, perseverance, a joy for the battle and preparation.”
Patton said he and Appleton often discussed the joys of competition. “He did what he did because he loved the feeling. He loved to live life at a heightened state.”
BRIAN TOOHEY,president, Semiconductor Industry Association
Appleton was pivotal in helping save the U.S. semiconductor industry, lobbying to get American companies on level footing with international competitors.
“This accomplishment, winning the global fight, typifies Steve Appleton,” Toohey said. “He wasn’t content to be a player. He wanted to be the best.”
GOV. BUTCH OTTER
Appleton was impatient with government and wanted things done quickly, Otter said. He recounted several meetings with Appleton where the businessman quickly cut to the point and demanded action.
Otter quoted author Jack London to describe Appleton:
“I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them. I shall live my life.”
Brian Murphy: 377-6444
