Yesterday, my best friend and brother from another mother, Om Malik, passed away.
They say that blood is thicker than water, and what we had was way thicker than blood. — Bob Weir
Om’s request was for a small family prayer ceremony. In mourning, that will be all there is. In celebration and tribute, I love that everyone is sharing their Om stories online, like the writing and photography Christopher Michel shared, which very much embody the OG spirit of blogging that Om pioneered.
A Renaissance Man
I knew Om contained multitudes, but sitting by his side these last few weeks, I’ve been amazed to learn how many deep and completely separate communities he was part of. He meant so much to so many, in so many different ways.
Om loved putting on a good conference, and I’d like to celebrate his life with an awesome event on September 29, 2026 (his 60th) in San Francisco, like an OmFest. I’ll find a space where every community from the many facets of Om can come together. In the spirit of Open Source and co-creation, we can have some booths, flash talks, a gallery of his photography, pen showcase, and whatever other fun ideas people want to contribute. I can’t wait for the beautiful collision of his tech / journalism / Indian party planner / pen / coffee / shoes / photography circles, and probably some niches I couldn’t even imagine.
A Few Vignettes
I have so much to say about Om, but right now I’m working on moderating comments and keeping his website tip-top, so here are a few snippets:
Fundamentally, Om was a lover of humanity. He became a fast “regular” everywhere he went. He wouldn’t just buy coffee, he would also learn the name and story of every barista, the dogs and people in South Park. His deep curiosity and respect weren’t just for the fine and famous. It extended to every soul that crossed his path. His encyclopedic knowledge and photographic memory created connections not just in San Francisco, but all around the world wherever we traveled. (I need to pull the stats, but we went to five continents together, including Antarctica.)
He loved people and their stories.
Om and I were an odd couple. We met online through forums and email because Om was one of the earliest adopters of WordPress. We finally met in person in 2004 when I was 20 and he was 38. He connected me to the first investors I ever spoke to, Phil Black, who formed True Ventures, and Tony Conrad, and introduced me to Toni Schneider, my business soul mate, who became like a co-founder as the CEO of Automattic in our first 8 years.
And of course on the internet. I don’t know how we would count, but I would guess Om read at least 1 or 2% of the whole thing.
Om was a voracious learner. I was there when he first used chopsticks, and only a few months later, he knew every sushi restaurant in San Francisco and exactly what he liked at each.
Om is probably in the top ten in the world for finding things incredibly early. That’s why he has the best usernames! How does one guy get the @om username on WordPress.com in 2005 (user ID 719), Twitter in 2006, Instagram in 2010? The first WordPress meetup was at Chaat Cafe (now Corner) in 2005, 8 people showed up, and Om was one of them.
One of the biggest lessons I learned from Om is the deep appreciation of craft. When he took an interest in photography or pens, he would somehow find his way to the most obscure, highest-quality expression of that form. “What Would Om Want?” is a question I will always ponder. I want to craft products that would make Om proud.
Om’s last word was “love.”
Nothing Gold Can Stay, by Robert Frost
Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
Such a gut punch for a fan and reader of OM. I’m really sorry for your loss.
So very sorry for your trouble, Matt. Go well.
So sorry for your loss, hopefully the vignettes folks are sharing online can bring you and those who held Om so dear some moments of joy and smiles amidst days of sorrow.
You were the first person I thought of when I heard the news of his passing. I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m already looking forward to OmFest. What a wonderful way to honor him.
My condolences on the loss of your dear friend
Heartbroken for you and everyone that knew OM. Wishing everyone healing.
One of the meanings of Om is that it represents the vibration of creation itself. The Om I know is a living embodiment of how to celebrate creation as a festivity. Which is why Om will always be in the present, in the here and now. And thus, eternal.
Matt it’s great that you are planning the OmFest event on what would have been his 60th birthday on September 29.
(PS: Here’s more I shared on Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nyay-bhushan-242a66_theres-a-unique-celebration-of-life-planned-activity-7476214831365423104-ySAb )
Sorry for your loss, Matt. I met Om a few times being in your orbit and he was a super nice guy. Glad to hear that you’re thinking so much about his legacy and planning a gathering – that will be very nice for his community!
I am so sorry for your loss. An amazing person and mentor like that is very hard to lose but at least you have the comfort of all those great memories and shared experiences.
🙁 OM was one of the very few that consistently turned out thoughtful, useful, and often entertaining insights into the tech world. I read everything he wrote. Sorry to lose him. Thanks for the consideration Matt.
What a giant of a human. So grateful to have crossed paths. Thanks for this beautiful tribute.
I’m so sorry to hear this. I knew Om way back in the “RSS days” and remember him as a very thoughtful and kind human being.
It’s very clear how dear and impactful Om was in your life Matt. Sorry for the loss, and hope you find solace in the many memories and reminders you have of his influence on yours and others in the coming weeks.
I’m sorry for your loss. I hope you and those close to him find strength and courage during this difficult time.
I’m sorry for your loss Matt. A beautiful tribute
Never posted here, but followed Om’s work on om.co countless times over the years. Saw him on Twitter too. I never met Om in person. I’m based in London, yet his writing, curation, and especially that uncanny knack for spotting what matters deeply influenced how I think and work.
I used to wonder what might have happened if I’d stayed in San Francisco. Maybe I’d have crossed paths with him. But that loss feels personal anyway, and I can’t quite explain why.
What Om represented, the quality of his observation, the integrity of his voice, that’s what I’m trying to capture in even 1% of what I do. And Matt, I follow your journey too. Thank you for building something that mattered.
We’re a small diaspora, those of us who left India for the UK or elsewhere. Om’s legacy is something we carry forward now. To his family and friends, our deepest strength to you.
Om Shanti. May we honour what he built.
A beautiful tribute to someone who clearly impacted you in many wonderful ways. May his memory be a blessing.
Sorry for your loss, matt.
My sincerest condolences. What a beautiful last word for a seemingly beautiful person.
Wonderful tribute and look forward to supporting the event – very sorry for your loss.
I’m sorry for all of our loss here — Om was such a gem of a human. I only got to interact with him a few times over the years, but he was always friendly, kind, graceful, and curious. I’m glad you got to spend a lot of time with Om recently, Matt.
So sad to read this news about Om, whom I think I first met at one of the early WordCamps at Swedish Hall in 2006 or 2007. He will be missed! Please keep us posted about the memorial. Would love to attend.
What a giant. Such an amazing dude. Love is the last word.
Thanks for this Matt
Really lovely tribute, especially lovely bc I know you must be grieving, as so many of us are. I feel altered by Om’s many years of friendship.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Matt. Thank you for writing this lovely tribute, Om was inspiring.