Gateway Inc. Co-Founder Mike Hammond Dies at Age 53

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Mike Hammond, who co-founded computer maker Gateway Inc. in a northwest Iowa farmhouse in 1985, has died at age 53.

Korey Robinson, of the Meyer Brothers Funeral Home in Sioux City, Iowa, said Hammond died on Thursday.

Hammond started Gateway with brothers Ted and Norm Waitt, selling what became among most popular computers on the market. The firm grew quickly while shipping computers directly to consumers in boxes decorated with cow spots.

Hammond helped manage the company's operations in Iowa and South Dakota. After retiring from Gateway, he started Dakota Muscle to restore and repair classic cars.

Former Sioux City Mayor Jim Wharton worked with Hammond. Wharton told the Sioux City Journal that he thinks Hammond's contributions were under appreciated at the company.

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