Stanford Hosts Memorial for Steve Jobs

Updated Oct. 18, 6:30 a.m.:

Stanford University closed its main quad to the public on Sunday as it hosted a private service at Memorial Church for late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.

Apple security and Stanford staff began clearing the quad at around 4 p.m., re-directing people who approached the north end of the Palm Drive loop. Tourists and visitors could continue passing through the south end for some time before the entire quad was closed. Security will remain in place until at least 9 p.m.

Apple security would not disclose any details on the proceedings. Several calls made to Stanford communications staff were not returned. 

Silicon Valley luminaries trickled in slowly, driving in everything from limousines to Aston Martins. According to some reports, former president Bill Clinton and former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates were among those present. The majority of traffic congestion was caused by those who were unaware the quad was closed and had to turn around. 

Guards were looking for credentials and wristbands. The only cars allowed in had signs on their dashboards with a picture of a blue lock.  

Palo Alto resident Mary Marsh had come to the campus to attend another memorial service for a faculty member who had passed away. She happened to see the quad shut down and stopped to watch. 

"The irony of the whole situation is that they're all dressed up in suits," she noted. "I wonder if Steve Jobs even owned a suit."

Many Stanford students and visitors were completely unaware of the event taking place. "I had no idea," said one computational biology post-doc. Another said it had been a "well-kept secret."

But according to one Stanford alum, this is the first time such a shutdown has occurred. The woman was at the campus for a student reunion and complained that Apple security members "intimidated" her and told her to "go home" without explanation as she was passing through the quad.

Another woman whose husband is a math professor at Stanford, was frustrated because she could not pick up him up from near Jordan Hall. However, she said Apple security was helping her find an alternate route. 

But many Stanford students were excited about the memorial service. 

"It's really cool! I heard he gave the 2005 commencement speech, so I thought it would be fitting," said first-year Aimee Trujillo. "And I saw the Apple store in Palo Alto," referring to the Post-It covered store front. Trujillo and her friends were biking in the quad when they were told they had to leave. 

According to the Wall Street Journal, small white lights lit up the pathway to the church and guests were served hors d'oeuvres. A reception was expected to follow.

Sunday was also "Steve Jobs Day," declared by Governor Jerry Brown after Jobs passed away.