Bruce Bastian Death & Obituary: Bruce Bastian, a visionary Utahn who made significant contributions to word processing technology and later became a prominent supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, has passed away at the age of 76. His death was announced by Equality Utah, an organization he helped to found. “No individual has had a greater impact on the lives of LGBTQ Utahns,” said Equality Utah executive director Troy Williams. “Every success our community has achieved over the past three decades can be traced directly back to Bruce.”
Who Was Bruce Bastian?
Bruce Wayne Bastian was an American computer programmer and businessman who co-founded the WordPerfect Software Company (originally known as Satellite Software International) with Alan Ashton in 1978. As a graduate student at Brigham Young University in 1979, Bastian co-created a word-processing program that would later be known as WordPerfect. This software, developed with the collaboration of Alan Ashton, a BYU computer science professor, started as a contract project for the city of Orem but remained their intellectual property.
“Bruce was definitely a legend, running one of the most successful companies, and an out and proud gay individual,” David Parkinson remarked in a 2022 interview with Equality Utah. “Not only does he give his money, but he gives his time, he gives his connections, he gives his knowledge, to help change Utah.”
Former Executive Director of the Utah AIDS Foundation’s Statement
Stan Penfold, former executive director of the Utah AIDS Foundation, highlighted Bastian’s unwavering support during challenging times. “I joined the foundation in 1994. We were typically seeing anywhere from three to five of our clients dying every week. It’s really hard to think about how horrific that time was,” Penfold recalled. He emphasized that Bastian’s support “never wavered, never once.” Penfold added, “I think it’s safe for me to say he changed my life. He made it possible for me to do something that I cared very deeply about and I’ll always remember him for that.”
A Legacy of Philanthropy and Advocacy
Equality Utah’s statement underscored Bastian’s far-reaching impact: “Bruce’s impact reached far beyond Utah, as a leading supporter of the national marriage equality movement, and a major benefactor and board member of the Human Rights Campaign. He has been a rock and pillar for all of us. Our community owes more to Bruce than we can possibly express. We send our love, gratitude, and condolences to Bruce’s wonderful husband Clint, and his friends and children.”
In addition to his advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, Bastian’s philanthropy extended to the performing arts, including support for the Utah Symphony + Opera, Ballet West, and the University of Utah. In 2010, President Barack Obama appointed him to the Presidential Advisory Committee of the Arts.
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Conclusion
Bruce Bastian leaves behind a legacy of technological innovation and profound social impact. His contributions to word processing revolutionized the way we work, and his unwavering support for the LGBTQ+ community transformed countless lives. As we remember Bruce Bastian, we honor a pioneer who used his success and influence to foster equality and change, both in Utah and beyond.
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