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(Seattle, Washington) Ric Weiland was one of the first five employees hired by Microsoft, and the first who was openly gay. He made a sizable fortune working for the software giant and distributed his wealth freely among LGBT and HIV/AIDS organizations.
This week, at 53, he took his own life at his Seattle home. Friends said that he had been depressed for some time. Weiland leaves behind his partner Mike Schaefer and numerous nieces and nephews.
Weiland's death came as a shock to LGBT leaders.
"Ric was an exceptionally generous man who made extraordinary contributions to our work," said Kevin Cathcart, Executive Director, Lambda Legal.
His quiet commitment made the work of so many organizations possible - and our community is better off for it," Cathcart said.
Matt Foreman, the Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, remembered Weiland as a quiet humble man who was committed to using his wealth for the betterment of gay Americans.
"The breadth and scope of this commitment was immense and unwavering," said Foreman. "Our community has lost a wonderful friend and leader, and the Task Force extends its deepest sympathies to Ric's partner Mike Schaefer and all those who knew and loved Ric."
"When I met with Ric in Seattle last year, he was definitely interested in what we were doing as an organization," remembered GLAAD President Neil Giuliano. "But what surprised me was that his real priority was establishing a personal connection with the people at GLAAD. His understanding of how strong relationships are at the core of our success as a movement is a tremendous legacy he leaves behind and one of so many reasons he will be missed."
Pride Foundation Executive Director Audrey Haberman remembered Weiland as a humble man.
"Despite his tremendous professional and personal achievements, he specifically requested no special attention for his generous charitable gifts, or the hard work he did on behalf of Pride Foundation and many, many other organizations." she said.
One of his pet projects was the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network.
His magnificent gifts helped numerous organizations, including ours, to not only survive but to thrive," said Kevin Jennings the Founder and Executive Director of GLSEN. "He never sought anything - attention, credit, fame - in return for his giving, which is the mark of a true philanthropist."
"Ric was a man who not only spoke about doing good things to better the world - he actually did them. From working to find a cure for AIDS to fighting discriminatory workplace policies against GLBT workers, Ric always gave 100 percent of himself," said Joe Solmonese, President, Human Rights Campaign.
Weiland first met Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and they became good friends. In 1975 Allen and Bill Gates founded Microsoft in Albuquerque, New Mexico hired Weiland and four others.
Weiland moved with Microsoft to Redmond Washington in 1979. He briefly left the company for a stint at the Harvard Business School returning to Microsoft in 1982. After leaving Microsoft in 1988, Weiland dedicated most of his time to philanthropy.
"Ric was certainly a key contributor to Microsoft's early success and was a brilliant programmer," Allen said in a statement. "I have many fond memories of Ric and all the things we did together, and I will miss him."
©365Gay.com 2006
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