Joel Edward Short, 34; Computer Innovator Co-Founded Nomadix

Joel Edward Short, an innovator in computer networking and co-founder of a company that assists wireless service providers, died Nov. 21 in Los Angeles of undisclosed causes. He was 34.

Fascinated by technology since childhood, Short earned a bachelor’s degree at Cal State Chico and began his career in Silicon Valley working for Apple computers.

He subsequently earned a doctorate in computer science at UCLA, where he worked closely with his professor, Internet pioneer Len Kleinrock.

In 1998, Short and Kleinrock co-founded Nomadix, which manufactures gateways that enable service providers to make money with special wireless features.

Short was senior vice president and chief technology officer.

As vice chairman of the Wi-Fi Alliance’s wireless Internet service provider roaming committee, Short was also a popular speaker and writer on problems with roaming agreements and opportunities for generating revenue with wireless services.