Richard "Ric" Weiland (1953-2006) was a software developer, programmer, philanthropist, and active member of the Northwest gay community. Interested in computers from a young age, Weiland built a computer in his basement in eighth grade, and while at Lakeside School formed the Lakeside Programming Group with classmates Bill Gates and Paul Allen. In 1975, Weiland became the first full-time employee hired by Gates and 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. He also worked with large corporations to ban workplace sexual discrimination and traveled across the Northwest to help gay communities in small towns and rural areas. Upon his death, his estate donated $160 million to various charities, including $65 million to the Pride Foundation in Seattle and ten other LGBTQ+ nonprofits, and large sums to Stanford University, and toward environmental protection and scientific research. In many cases, his bequest was the largest donation ever received by these groups.

Weiland enjoyed creating costumes and dressing up for LGBTQ parties in Seattle. He made the Pegasus costume he wears in this photo, taken at a 1983 Halloween party. This photo is attached inside of an unsigned holiday card. The Pegasus costume is now part of MOHAI's collection.

Caption information source: "Seattle man who helped launch Microsoft left $65M for gay rights," by Kristi Heim, Seattle Times, February 24, 2008, retrieved from https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/seattle-man-who-helped-launch-microsoft-left-65m-for-gay-rights/
Caption information source: "Halloween--It Was a Treat!," Washington Cascade Voice, November 4, 1983.