At just 53 years of age, Ric Weiland, a programmer that was a part of the software's giant initial effort, working on its first steps toward an operating system, has committed suicide by a self-inflicted wound to the head, Saturday at his Seattle home. Former classmate with Microsoft's co-founders Bill Gates and Paul Allen at Lakeside School, Ric Weiland then joined the duo after they created the company and worked with Microsoft since 1975 and until 1988. His work focused on developing the first stages of computer interfaces like Basic and Cobol.

"Ric was certainly a key contributor to Microsoft's early success, and was a brilliant programmer", Paul Allen said in a statement. "I have many fond memories of Ric and all the things we did together, and I will miss him."

After leaving Microsoft, Weiland has dedicated himself to philanthropic activities, especially offering his support to the gay community, as he was an active member of the Pride Foundation until 2002. The financial contributions of Microsoft's pioneer are estimated to over 100 million dollars.