Donald White Obituary

October 7, 1931 - January 11, 2025 Donald H. White, former president of Hughes Aircraft Company and a leader in the aerospace and electronics industries, died peacefully in Medford, Oregon on January 11, 2025, at the age of 93.
Born in Long Beach and raised in Whittier, Don graduated with a degree in economics from Stanford University in 1953. After serving as a U.S. Navy Supply Corps officer in Japan, he earned an MBA from Stanford in 1958, followed later by a mid-career MS from the MIT Sloan Fellows Program in 1970.
Don began his career in business with IBM, followed by several years with Northrop Corporation where he rose to the position of Vice President of Finance for the Aircraft Division.
In 1974, Don joined Hughes Aircraft Company. There he served in several senior leadership roles, ultimately as President of Hughes, until his retirement in 1989. While at Hughes, Don served on the boards of GM Hughes Electronics and Delco Electronics. Don also served on several civic boards, including the California Business Roundtable, California Economic Development Council, National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, Los Angeles Music Center, and the Stanford Graduate School of Business Advisory Council.
Don received the MIT Corporate Leadership Award in 1984.
Don was known for his steady leadership, intelligence, dedication to excellence, generosity and devotion to his family.
Don is survived by his wife of 71 years, Janice J. White; daughter, Marleigh White; son, Spencer White; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.