I really wouldn't call Steve Jobs the Thomas Jefferson of our day. He wasn't that side of things.
What I will say is maybe the Rockefeller of our times.
Jobs was a great negotiator, marketer, had a good knack for telling what people wanted, and , maybe arguably more important, the ability to tell what people didn't care about as much, MMS or 2 button mice anyone.
The man was a force of will though, I'm not to surprised that he is dead. For him to step down as CEO and not have another venture started he must have known that there was a good chance he would be gone soon. Some people have to work. All my dead grandparents where that way. Once they left the workforce there health took a nosedive.
Still a Sad Day and condolences to his family. Though I wonder how this will effect Apple stock next week after the shock is gone.