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Bruce Bastian

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Bruce Bastian
Bastian in 2011
Born
Bruce Wayne Bastian

(1948-03-23)March 23, 1948
Twin Falls, Idaho, U.S.
DiedJune 16, 2024(2024-06-16) (aged 76)
Palm Springs, California, U.S.
Alma materBrigham Young University
Occupations
  • Computer programmer
  • businessperson
Known forCo-founding WordPerfect
Spouse(s)
Melanie Laycock-Bastian
​
​
(m. 1976; div. 1993)​

Clint Ford

Bruce Wayne Bastian (March 23, 1948 – June 16, 2024) was an American computer programmer, and businessperson, and philanthropist.[1] He co-founded the WordPerfect Software Company (originally known as Satellite Software International) with Alan Ashton in 1978.

Early life and education

Bastian was born on March 23, 1948, in Twin Falls, Idaho.[2] He was raised as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[3] He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Master's degree in Computer Science from Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah.[2] As an undergraduate, he served as the director of the BYU Cougar Marching Band and developed a software program to help choreograph marching band performances together with Alan Ashton.[2]

Career

Bastian briefly worked for Ashton and another partner, developing word processing software. Bastian later worked for the Eyring Research Institute (ERI), where he briefly worked on a language translation program.[citation needed] Soon after Bastian became employed at ERI, the company signed a contract with Orem, Utah, to create a word processor for the city's new DEC PDP-11/34 mini computer. Since Bastian was the only employee at ERI who had a development experience with word processing, the company contracted with Bastian and Ashton to develop the software, which later became WordPerfect.[3]

Philanthropy

A philanthropist, Bastian supported the LGBT community and the performing arts in Utah.[1] He was a donor to Encircle, the Utah Pride Center, and Equality Utah, whose executive director noted, "No individual has had a greater impact on the lives of LGBTQ Utahns."[1] In 2003, he donated more than $1 million to the Human Rights Campaign.[3] He also provided financial assistance to the Plan-B Theatre Company, the Utah Symphony and Utah Opera, and Ballet West.[1] At the University of Utah, he donated $1.7 million for the renovation of Kingsbury Hall in 1997 and $1.3 million for the purchase of 55 Steinway pianos in 2000.[4] He also supported the LGBT Resource Center on campus.[4]

In 2010, President Barack Obama appointed Bastian to the Presidential Advisory Committee of the Arts in honor of Bastian's long-term commitment to the arts.[5]

Personal life and death

Bastian married Melanie Laycock, and they had four sons; they divorced in 1993.[6] He later married Clint Ford.[1][4] He died on June 16, 2024.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Burt, Spencer; Tencer, Emily (June 16, 2024). "Bruce Bastian, co-founder of WordPerfect and longtime LGBTQ+ philanthropist, dies at age 76". Fox 13. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Funk, Mason. "Bruce Bastian". The OUTWORDS Archive. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Romboy, Dennis (June 22, 2003), "Bastian's profile low — in Utah, at least", Deseret News, retrieved January 5, 2012, The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest gay and lesbian political action committee, honored him last fall for giving more than $1 million to its capital fund-raising project.
  4. ^ a b c "About the Honorees: Bruce W. Bastian". School of Music. The University of Utah. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  5. ^ "President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts, 2/26/10 | The White House". whitehouse.gov (Press release). February 26, 2010. Retrieved November 1, 2013 – via National Archives.
  6. ^ "Melanie Laycock-Bastian". Deseret News. 2016. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
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