“Thank you for your interest in honoring Gary Leo and learning more details than you probably ever wanted to know. My relationship with Gary began in the late 1980s, around 1989 or 1990. I met Clark Higgins at an early Macworld event and later visited him in Fairfax at the School Street Plaza, where Gary had a studio working on an automated egg hatcher. I was very impressed with his device and enjoyed his company. Over time, I became a regular companion of Gary, riding our bikes up Mount Tamalpais. A few years into our friendship, Gary called to inform me that a unit in the duplex across the street from him was available for rent. I immediately applied and seemed to get along well with Marilyn, the landlord. She mentioned that I reminded her of her ex-husband, which led her to initially choose another tenant. However, Gary and Pat didn’t agree with her decision and started a petition in the neighborhood expressing their desire for me to be their neighbor. Coupled with my offer to pay an additional $100 per month, Marilyn reconsidered and decided to rent the unit to me. Gary and I continued to ride together frequently and shared many adventures. I look forward to reading about your experiences with our wonderful friend, Gary Leo.”

“I first met Gary Leo through my good friend Barry Brilliant, who happened to be Gary’s neighbor. Whenever I visited Barry, I often found myself at Gary’s house, as Barry seemed to spend a lot of time hanging out with him. This arrangement suited me just fine because Gary was not only kindhearted but also incredibly knowledgeable. Many afternoons, I would find Gary and Barry either in Gary’s office, where Gary did most of his tinkering, or out in the backyard, engrossed in interesting conversations. Gary’s backyard is a true marvel, nestled right on a bend of a serene creek. It is a tranquil oasis that never failed to captivate me with its natural beauty and peaceful ambiance. Gary always had an intriguing project underway, and his enthusiasm was contagious. One project that particularly impressed me was his work on optimizing his water heater. Gary had managed to reprogram a Wi-Fi router to analyze and control the modified water heater, ensuring it ran as efficiently as possible by utilizing every bit of warm water available. This ingenuity not only saved energy but also showcased his remarkable engineering skills. Gary’s talents extended far beyond his home projects. As an engineer for Apple, he has a knack for fixing just about anything. I experienced his expertise firsthand when my aging computer started malfunctioning. I sought Gary’s advice, and he told me to bring it over so he could take a look. He carefully examined the computer, identified the faulty part, and expertly soldered in a new one, saving my beloved machine from an untimely demise when Apple had deemed it too old to repair. Conversations with Gary are always a delight. His insights, creativity, and the genuine passion he had for his work and his friends left a lasting impression on me. I am reminded of the countless ways he touched my life and the lives of others around him.”

“Dearest Gary, much love to you in the mysterious realm of light and everlasting Love. Your bright light, and smile – all the way to your joys- including birds, riding in the woods, joys at Christmas – family, children, gifts, color – cards, art, yes the music, the tech applications- oh my, tears and Love.”

“Working with Gary has been a treasure. Gary has so much experience to draw from so working with him on a few projects, I was able to hear and almost understand complex systems he created for ships powertrains, Ebikes, film making and the stories from Apple are all priceless. Gary you are a true innovator and explorer and I am so blessed to be able to work with you but mostly to call you a friend. I really look up to you and how you approach problems and solutions. I really appreciate you my friend.”

“My brilliant and often funny brother Gary was the youngest HAM operator to receive a license in Colorado. I watched him build his equipment, rode in his awesome GTO, listened to the police scanner with him and ate hamburgers from Richie’s Hamburger stand In Cherry Creek. He was an analog-type who relied, in those days on his slide rule. Old school and a mix of the newest, his grasp of the electrical fields e all take for granted made him the “magician” he always was. When the latest comet came through, the timing was exceptional, so friends embraced the concept that Gary hopped a ride and is on his way to the “Wizard” nebula. Always the consummate “rider”, “ride like the wind” Gary and find yourself a new adventure. We miss you, we will always miss you, but we know how energy works in the universe. Rest in peace now ,but ride like the wind Gary when you get to the destination..”

“I have procrastinated writing about Gary Leo for a while. It is difficult to admit that he is gone and we will not share laughs or conversations together again. I met Gary through a mutual friend, Barry Brilliant although we would become friends and coworkers on our own right. Gary was not at Apple the first time I worked there but he was there the last time and thus we often carpooled together the 75 miles from Marin county to Cupertino. We worked in different groups in different buildings but shared technical challenges, insights and interests. Gay’s home workshop was nothing short of science fiction. He had stacks of orphaned and discontinued computers, modems, oscilloscopes and testing equipment. His work in continuing engineering didn’t stop when he left the office. Neither did his curiosity. Wondering how much water flowed down his creek and into the culverts of Marin, Gary created and installed a wireless network of sensors to meter it. Even as a senior citizen he biked up Mount Tamalpais every day. He was in amazing physical shape! We had a chance to work together when he was approached by an EV developer to design their controllers. I, like others, was blessed to have known Gary; to debate, to discuss, to invent, to laugh, and to party with him.”