In the end, Wrobel's last experiences in Africa shine a light on the many conflicts that arise when idealistic capitalism collides with equally idealistic environmental and social advocates. "It's common in this type of situation to see a clash of different interests and passions on what's right for local communities. It can be a combustible mixture," said Bennett Freeman, an expert on corporate social responsibility and senior vice president of sustainability research and policy at Calvert Investments. "For someone who sees themselves in the change-the-world business, these kinds of criticisms can be intensely felt."

It also illustrates how extremely successful entrepreneurs—even masters of the universe—can appear to lose all hope when their ideals slam into reality. Wrobel believed he could overcome any professional challenge, and his many successes suggested he could be an elite member of a new breed of entrepreneur able to create positive change against long odds in even the poorest locales. When he fell, he fell hard.

As Seacom co-founder Herlihy—and many others—recognized, the fuel for Wroebel's professional drive was a belief in his ability and others' to make a difference.

"It was just pure passion—people couldn't say no to him," said Herlihy. "It was always about 'how are we creating market efficiencies and bettering off the market.' If it weren't, he would've just built power plants in New York or wherever. He didn't need to make the money. … He didn't need to take the risk."

Before his depression, friends and colleagues spoke of being "Wrobelized," a term for when Wrobel would persuade them to sign up for a project through the sheer power of his infectious enthusiasm, especially for work with a social byproduct. Part of his self-image, those close to Wrobel say, was the support he provided to all those who did join him.

"He was always going out of his way to help people, whether it was giving them financial support or advice or ideas or connecting people," longtime friend Dong said. "When his businesses were going south, he had to spend his attention on keeping them afloat. So he had less time and less financial resources to support people. I think that weighed on him."

Looking back, friends remain in awe. "From a very basic human level, he was kind of superhuman," said Cella. "We should all be very, very grateful that the embodiment of all that brain power, confidence and guts were in a vessel that really and truly and very deeply wanted to improve the lives of as many people as he could."

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