July 5th, 2024

Bruce Bastian, a Founder of WordPerfect, Is Dead at 76

Bruce Bastian, co-founder of WordPerfect Corporation, passed away at 76 in Palm Springs. He co-developed WordPerfect, later became an LGBTQ activist, and left a legacy in technology, LGBTQ advocacy, and philanthropy.

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Bruce Bastian, a Founder of WordPerfect, Is Dead at 76

Bruce Bastian, co-founder of WordPerfect Corporation, passed away at 76 in Palm Springs, California. Bastian, who later became an LGBTQ activist, left WordPerfect after it was sold in 1994. He and Alan C. Ashton developed WordPerfect, a popular word processor in the 1980s and '90s. Despite its user-friendly interface, WordPerfect lost market share to Microsoft Word due to delays in adapting to Windows. Bastian's public coming out as gay led to his involvement in LGBTQ causes and philanthropy. He faced challenges reconciling his sexuality with his Mormon faith, eventually leaving the church. Bastian's contributions to arts, culture, and LGBTQ advocacy were significant. His personal journey included divorce, remarriage, and a commitment to living authentically. Despite WordPerfect's decline, Bastian's legacy extends beyond the tech industry, leaving a mark on both the LGBTQ community and philanthropy.

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By @Zambyte - 10 months
Larger discussion from 2 days ago https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40858583
By @gadders - 10 months
Fun fact: If you worked in Customer Support in WordPerfect in the UK (and presumably in the US) you could do a shift as the DJ for the on-hold music.
By @bookofjoe - 10 months
By @OuterVale - 10 months
Similar post from 3 days ago: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40858583