Shrine Outside Naperville Apple Store Honors Steve Jobs

Naperville couple Don and Kate Gingold rode their scooter to the on Thursday to pay homage to Steve Jobs, the visionary behind Apple Computers. 

The Gingolds were taking photos of the small shrine of flowers, candles and cards found outside the store Thursday afternoon.

Steve Jobs died Wednesday at 56 after a battle with cancer. Jobs’ company and its products changed the face of personal computing and digital technology.

“My first computer was an Apple IIe and I still have it,” Don Gingold said, adding that the computer is stowed away in a box in his home.

The couple bought their first Apple computer in 1982. 

The Naperville store is always filled with shoppers and Thursday was no different. Teens and others passing the store Thursday afternoon stopped to look at the shrine, several taking photos with their iPhones. Don Gingold said it was only fitting that he would use his iPhone to take photos at the store.

After hearing about Jobs’ death Wednesday night, the couple wanted to return to the Naperville store where they've made purchases before to pay homage to Jobs. The Gingolds have some business associates, originally from Naperville, who now live in California and they said they also wanted to share photos of the impromptu shrine with them.

Kate Gingold said that many years ago, Don was deciding whether to go into business as a DJ or make a career in the computer industry.

“He chose computers and I think he made the right choice,” she said.

When asked about the impact Jobs’ and his company have made in their lives, Don Gingold said: “I heard a cute quote that there were three apples that changed mankind: Adam’s apple, Newton’s apple and Steve’s apple.”