Some friends pass through our lives - we raise families, change jobs, relocate, and eventually retire. Those big changes are a natural part of life, so when someone remains a close friend for several decades, it's meaningful in a deeply profound way. We first met Adrian in 1989, the year we moved back to Washington from Colorado. He was introduced to us through mutual Microsoft friends, and we shared interests in waterskiing, cooking, music, and simply hanging out. Adrian's home on Lake Sammamish became a focal point for our little group in the summer months, and later, trips to eastern Washington to ski on a private lake. Over the next several years as Adrian and other friends left Microsoft for other pursuits/retirement, we remained close. Adrian and Mike were both private pilots and shared an enthusiasm for flying. When Adrian and his then wife Dawn moved to Reno, we visited and watched the Reno Air Races, a fabulous memory.

Later, when Adrian decided to relocate back to Washington State, he chose to live in our guest house, literally next door to us. He filled his home with his photos of his annual adventures with Chloe. For the last 5+ years, he was never more than a few steps across the driveway, which gave us a chance to have all our holiday meals together, watch NFL games and football. Football, as differentiated from NFL, as we have learned, is the proper term for what many Americans call soccer. Mike became an Arsenal fan and followed several other teams in the Premier League and EFL Championship League. We would often see him in his hot tub with a martini – thoroughly relaxed with that big smile of his. And we watched Free Solo on his recommendation – because he thought it was remarkable and inspirational.

It has been difficult to write this, we walk past “his house” several times every day, and it’s hard not to expect to see him in the kitchen or on his deck. We were blessed to have him as a close friend. We called him “the family we chose” and his loss is beyond measure.

Mike and Brenda Marler

Some friends pass through our lives - we raise families, change jobs, relocate, and eventually retire. Those big changes are a natural part of life, so when someone remains a close friend for several decades, it's meaningful in a deeply profound way. We first met Adrian in 1989, the year we moved back to Washington from Colorado. He was introduced to us through mutual Microsoft friends, and we shared interests in waterskiing, cooking, music, and simply hanging out. Adrian's home on Lake Sammamish became a focal point for our little group in the summer months, and later, trips to eastern Washington to ski on a private lake. Over the next several years as Adrian and other friends left Microsoft for other pursuits/retirement, we remained close. Adrian and Mike were both private pilots and shared an enthusiasm for flying. When Adrian and his then wife Dawn moved to Reno, we visited and watched the Reno Air Races, a fabulous memory.

Later, when Adrian decided to relocate back to Washington State, he chose to live in our guest house, literally next door to us. He filled his home with his photos of his annual adventures with Chloe. For the last 5+ years, he was never more than a few steps across the driveway, which gave us a chance to have all our holiday meals together, watch NFL games and football. Football, as differentiated from NFL, as we have learned, is the proper term for what many Americans call soccer. Mike became an Arsenal fan and followed several other teams in the Premier League and EFL Championship League. We would often see him in his hot tub with a martini – thoroughly relaxed with that big smile of his. And we watched Free Solo on his recommendation – because he thought it was remarkable and inspirational.

It has been difficult to write this, we walk past “his house” several times every day, and it’s hard not to expect to see him in the kitchen or on his deck. We were blessed to have him as a close friend. We called him “the family we chose” and his loss is beyond measure.

Mike and Brenda Marler

Perhaps one of the greatest coincidences of my life occurred in March 1998 . 

I was visiting Chicago for a business conference from Japan , where I lived . And on arrival and after checking in , went to the basement bar of the Chicago Hilton  Hotel to meet my colleagues . I did not stay long because of jetlag and was about to leave  and saw a man sitting on alone on a high stool and thought he looked like someone I knew  . Adrian and I  instantly recognized each other with  surprise. He had flown from the West Coast and I had flown from Japan that day. I think the chances of meeting  on that day and moment,   in that place were negligible . I had last seen him in Portland in 1995. 

 Obviously I did not retire to my room! We had a drink or two . 

In the mid-80s I was a reporter at PC Week seeking seeking info on future products and directions at Microsoft. Adrian was the Product Manager for MS-DOS at the time. He answered his phone, was always polite and helpful and would share what he could.  We established a mutual trust and became friends. I  have no doubt Adrian was instrumental in Microsoft hiring me in 1987.  Adrian left MSFT before I did. We stayed friends but eventually fell out of touch. He was good man, a class act, and knew how to live. Just ended too soon. His was surely a life worth celebrating. I will be there in Petaluma on March 8th. 

RIP, Adrian

I met Adrian during my first year at Microsoft in 1986 playing football . We discovered that we both liked water skiing and started to pursue it  together. He and I bought our first ski boat jointly. We made an offer for 7K half of which I could not really afford... He just said, don't worry, I'll just write a check and you can pay me later... We were then able to park at his boss's, Steve Ballmer, dock in Hunts Point for free. 

It was not a real ski boat and its engine was a modest 170hp...so it took the whole distance of Hunts Point Bay to get him out of the water on a mono ski. Even that only worked by putting our respective girl friends at the time on the bow while I was driving. We would drag Adrian buried in a big spray of water until he eventually emerged on the plane after some 30 seconds. Never forget that look of happiness on his drenched face after he finally got on the plane. 

Later on as we lived on opposite sides of Lake Sammamish, we often skied together,  and I'll never forget the time we barefooted off his boom on a glassy lake in the early summer of 1987...

He was an amazing guy, super generous with himself and with an infectious smile that he always seemed to wear. I will always remember him fondly. What a great guy the world has lost! 

So many good memories of Adrian. I met him back in the early systems days at Microsoft - his big belly laugh and even bigger smile were his trademarks. Adrian was a man of many pursuits and interests, and I was lucky to ski and play soccer with him. It was no surprise when he later took up water skiing, flying and photography - a true renaissance man.

I once read a line that stayed with me: Our dead are never dead to us until we have forgotten them. Adrian left me with too many memories to list, and he will never be forgotten.

Sad news.  I knew Adrian from the early days at Microsoft 

He had a great laugh and played footie like a real brit

(i once tripped chasing him dribbling in indoor and fell against him. As we got up he turned to me and said 'do that again and im gonna send you into the boards.... Proper response on his part)

His memory is a blessing 

Adrian was my uncle, and because Chloe and I have always been more like sisters than cousins, he was a fixture of my childhood. I have so many fond memories of summers and winters spent with them in Tahoe, and some of my first experiences in an airplane (with Adrian piloting!) when the mountain roads were too snowy to drive on.

I will always hold dear one specific memory of visiting a bookshop in my youth, and Adrian insistently handing me a copy of The Hobbit. I have never been able to think of that book without thinking of him, especially the message of how anyone, no matter how small they feel, can be brave.

Adrian’s love for Chloe was his North Star and I was lucky enough to witness that devotion firsthand. Whether it was moving across the country to be near her, or cheering on every milestone of her education, his commitment to her was a masterclass in fatherhood.

Sending all my love to Chloe and all those who knew and loved Adrian. 

- Jenny (Lintz) Bieze

I met Adrian in the 1980s when he came to Microsoft to work on Xenix. We bonded as transplants to the USA both being far from home. I have fond memories of many ski trips and holidays together. I will always remember his great story telling and that big booming laugh.

When we last had lunch in Seattle, Adrian spoke so proudly and lovingly of who Chloe was and all she had achieved. He loved being a Dad. :)

My deepest condolences to all in the family.

He will be missed.

David Perlin