Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Google Mentor Dead in Freak Swimming Accident

By Drew Nelles,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 7, 2009 3:43 PM CDT
Email

(Newser) – A Stanford computer science professor who mentored Google's founders has drowned in his swimming pool, the San Jose Mercury News reports. Rajeev Motwani, 47, who could not swim, drowned at his Atherton, Calif., home, leaving a wife, two daughters, and many admirers in Silicon Valley. “It's a rare combination to have somebody who is so smart and also such a nice guy,” said Google co-founder Sergey Brin.

Born in India, Motwani earned a doctorate at University of California-Berkeley before teaching at Stanford. Known as a friendly adviser to hundreds of students, he developed data-mining techniques that paved the way for e-commerce and search engines. "People, when they speak to him, soon their vague and fuzzy ideas get transformed into crisp articulations," said a fellow Stanford prof. "It's a rare gift."

This photo shows Google cofounders Sergey Brin, left, and Larry Page, right. Of all the faculty at Stanford, it is with Rajeev that I have stayed the closest and I will miss him dearly, Brin says.
This photo shows Google cofounders Sergey Brin, left, and Larry Page, right. "Of all the faculty at Stanford, it is with Rajeev that I have stayed the closest and I will miss him dearly," Brin says.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, file)
A Stanford student looks at employment brochures on display at the career center at Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif.
A Stanford student looks at employment brochures on display at the career center at Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. is seen. Rajeev Motwani was a professor of Google cofounders Larry Page and Sergey Brin.
Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. is seen. Rajeev Motwani was a professor of Google cofounders Larry Page and Sergey Brin.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Ron Conway pays tribute To Rajeev Motwani.   (techcrunch)

View larger videos >>
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »

He enabled things. He brought out the best in people, not by yanking at them, but things just came out. It was a little bit more magical an experience. - Stanford professor Balaji Prabhakar

He's a great example on how the Silicon Valley ecosystem works, which is why everyone is so upset at this tragedy. - friend Ron Conway

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
kokuaguy
Jun 10, 2009 12:33 PM CDT
I wonder how many adults accidently drown in their pools each year? Isn't that how Shatner's wife died? (No, I don't want to google it....) Or bong it.
inky
Jun 8, 2009 7:42 AM CDT
People who have swimming pools should know how to swim in them. Otherwise, they're simply tempting fate.
MrsK
Jun 8, 2009 4:28 AM CDT
Can't people just die accidentally anymore without the conspiracy theorists going nuts?

Brin remembers Motwani
too.blogspot.com

Read Matwani's papers
TechCrunch

US • Money • Technology

 
Google • Stanford • Sergey Brin • India • death • drowning • data mining • professor • freak accident

More Newser Stories

Googler Preps for Lavish Island Nuptials
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne