I suspect that Richard's first computer was an Apple ][+, not an Apple //e (as claimed by the article), as Ultima existed (published 1981) well before the Apple //e was released (1983).
His first Apple, circa 1979, was probably an original Apple II with a language card, equivalent to the II+ that came out in mid-year.
Interesting to note that it was so expensive that even a senior NASA astronaut, probably a GS-13, had to split the cost with his son.