Richard "Ric" Weiland (1953-2006) was a software developer, programmer, philanthropist, and active member of the Northwest gay community. In 1975, Weiland became the first full-time employee hired by Bill Gates and Paul Allen at the newly founded Microsoft company. He retired in 1988 at age 35 and devoted his time to using his wealth to support the LGBTQ+ social justice movement, as well as environmental, health, and education causes. Weiland was part of RITA, an informal group of gay men known for their wild parties. To be a RITA you had to be “willing to selflessly devote your future to entertaining deadbeats and cocktailing till dawn.” They called each other “Rita” and so while some of them signed the fan with their own names, several signed as “Rita.”