October 21, 2018 | Medtronic plc, the Minneapolis, MN manufacturer of neuromodulation systems, announced that its co-founder, Earl Bakken, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2018 at his home on Kiholo Bay on the Big Island of Hawaii. He was 94 years old.
“Today we are saddened by the passing of Earl Bakken, but we also honor and will forever cherish the life of a beloved man whose brilliance and vision have improved the lives of millions of people around the world,” said Omar Ishrak, Medtronic chairman and CEO. “The contributions Earl made to the field of medical technology simply cannot be overstated. His spirit will live on with us as we work to fulfill the mission he wrote nearly 60 years ago—to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Bakken family during this difficult time.”
In 1949, Bakken founded Medtronic with his brother-in-law, Palmer Hermundslie. Before retiring as chairman in 1989, Bakken led Medtronic for 40 years, guiding the company from humble roots into the world’s premiere medical technology company.
Born in Columbia Heights, MN, Bakken graduated from high school in 1941 and enlisted in the Army Signal Corps where he served in World War II as a radar instructor. After leaving the Army, he attended the University of Minnesota, earning a degree in electrical engineering.
