Dennis Austin: American Software Developer and PowerPoint Lead

Dennis Austin was an American software developer known for his pivotal role as the lead software developer for PowerPoint, particularly its versions tailored for Apple Macintosh computers, between 1985 and 1996. He made significant contributions to the development and conceptualization of this influential presentation software.

Early Life and Education: Dennis Robert Austin was born on May 28, 1947, in Pittsburgh, spending his formative years in Rosslyn Farms. His early exposure to computers during a high school summer program at the Carnegie Institute of Technology ignited his passion for programming languages and compilers. He pursued engineering studies at the University of Virginia, completing his undergraduate studies in the late 1960s. Austin continued his academic journey with graduate studies at various renowned institutions.

Career and Contributions: Austin’s software career began at General Electric’s computer division in Arizona, followed by positions at Honeywell and Burroughs. At Xerox PARC, he was exposed to groundbreaking graphical user interfaces, shaping his approach to software development. He contributed significantly to the development of PowerPoint during his time at Forethought, Inc. The project later became PowerPoint as we know it today.

Even after Microsoft’s acquisition of Forethought in 1987, Austin continued to play a central role in the development of PowerPoint until 1996. He was instrumental in the conceptualization and execution of this graphical presentation software.

Death: Dennis R. Austin passed away on September 1, 2023, at his residence in Los Altos, California, at the age of 76. The cause of his death was attributed to lung cancer that had metastasized to his brain, as confirmed by his son, Michael Austin. His contributions to the field of software development, particularly PowerPoint, are remembered and appreciated in the tech community.