Sundar Pichai on death of Google veteran who invented data centres: 'Unbearably sad'

Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Sundar Pichai said that Luiz Andre Barroso was the man behind many of Google's "technical achievements". (Image credit (right): Twitter/LuizBarosso).

Google CEO Sundar Pichai reacted to the death of Luiz Andre Barroso, who invented several data centres for the organisation.

Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Pichai said that the 59-year-old was the man behind "many of Google's technical achievements" and added that he would miss having conversations with him on various subjects, ranging from nature to football. "Unbearably sad to lose Luiz. He was behind so many of Google’s technical achievements, writing the book on our data centres, leading the design of our computing infrastructure, and so much more. He was at the top of his field, earning ACM’s highest honor in computer architecture," Pichai wrote on Twitter.

"Luiz saw beauty in everything, be it a warehouse architecture, a major 9 chord, or a wing of a hyacinth macaw. I’ll miss our chats about nature, music, and football, especially Brazil and Barcelona. RIP my friend," he added.

Unbearably sad to lose Luiz. He was behind so many of Google’s technical achievements, writing the book on our data centres, leading the design of our computing infrastructure, and so much more. He was at the top of his field, earning ACM’s highest honor in computer architecture.…

— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) September 22, 2023

Pichai's post saw several comments, many of whom offered their condolences.

"Very sad to hear. Luiz was a very nice man," one user wrote.

"Heartbreaking to hear this. I remember Luiz's kindness and him singing so beautifully at the last offsite I was at Google pre-covid. He will be missed," another user wrote.

Who was Luiz Andre Barroso?

As per LinkedIn, Barroso joined Google in September 2001 and had been currently holding the position of VP of Engineering. In December 2020, he became a Google Fellow.

Before joining Google, Barroso had worked as Principal Member of the Research Staff at the Digital Equipment Corporation, in California, United States from 1995-2001.

Barroso had done his Bachelors' degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro and completed his Masters' degree in the same field from the same institution. Barosso died on September 16 and as per a Wired report, the family had sought privacy on the matter.