So Steve Jobs was a normal human being

Real and human.

(Credit: James Martin/CNET)

I have a suspicion that Steve Jobs is becoming more missed rather than less.

Those who revered him -- as well as those who disliked him, his brand, and even his Levi's -- realize that tech seems a little less interesting since his departure.

Though he might have appeared overbearing, arrogant, and mercurial -- as well as inspired -- in business, there was always the notion that he was in it (and in life) for something far more interesting than money.

A beautifully told story that appeared in answer to a Quora question serves as a window to that idea.

I am grateful to Business Insider for spotting the anecdote contributed by Tim Smith, principal at the Applied Design Group.

He tells how he used to date a girl whose father lived on the same street as Jobs and his family in Palo Alto, Calif.

One day, his beat-up Sunbeam Alpine broke down, right in front of Casa Jobs.

Jobs' wife, Laurene, came out to help. She offered Smith a beer. She then called a friend who was allegedly an expert at fixing beat-up old cars.

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