Donald Eugene Petersen

Donald Eugene Petersen, best known for bringing the world the Ford Mustang, Sable, and Taurus, and as being an innovative and respected leader in the automotive industry, passed away peacefully on April 24, 2024, at his home in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, at the age of 97. "Don," or "Pete," as he was sometimes called, was born on September 4, 1926, in Pipestone, Minnesota, to William and Mae (nee Pederson) Petersen, and was the youngest of his brothers, William (Mae Myrah) and Peter (Lois). His early life on the family farm during the Great Depression instilled in him a profound sense of self-reliance and work ethic. These traits were evident from his youth, as he earned money from paper routes and bottle-washing, worked as a plumber's apprentice, and worked at a shipyard scraping barnacles from ships to help support his family. Don's academic journey was marked by early achievements, graduating President of his class from Washington High School in Portland, Oregon, when he was just 16. Don also played halfback in football, was Editor of "Hi-Y" helping to organize school functions, and was Vice President of the Debate Club. It seems that even at an early age he was primed for leadership roles. In a letter he wrote to his graduating high school class Don speaks of the patriotism he felt towards his country, "...we will enter into a very disrupted and troubled world. If it were peacetime, most of us would be looking forward to furthering our education in some institution of higher learning, but since our country is at war, we must postpose our plans and do our part in winning the victory." Not yet being old enough for boot camp, Don attended Oregon State College in Corvallis, Oregon the same year. It was there, during the freshman dance, when Don was pledging Beta Theta Pi, that he met his beloved wife on her seventeenth birthday, Jo Anne Leonard. They were the youngest students attending the dance and became a couple immediately. They later married in September of 1948 and remained a devoted couple for over 75 years. In 1944, when Don was just 17, he attended the University of Washington, in Seattle, and concurrently served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1946, just two years later. After graduation, Don attended boot camp and basic training for the Marine Corps. In July 1946, Don began serving in the U.S. Marine Corps as a 2nd Lieutenant, and he served in the Korean War as a 1st Lieutenant in January of 1951 until June of 1952. Before enrolling in Stanford Business School, he earned his tuition by working on an Idaho farm, baling hay. His hard work paid off, allowing him to pursue and obtain his MBA in 1949. Later in life, Don would go on to be awarded with five additional honorary Doctorate degrees from many other institutions. When Ford Motor Company came to Stanford to interview him about a job the same year, Don had said that he was interested in "product planning." This was a department that did not yet exist at Ford; however, liking Don and seeing the value in his vision, they created a new position just for him. It was then, when he accepted the new position at Ford, that Don and Jo Anne, known as "Jody," moved to Michigan, beginning a life there and adopting two children, Leslie and Donald, from The Cradle in Evanston, Illinois in 1956 and 1958, respectively. Through the 1950s and 1960s, Don rose through his created position of Product Planning to become Vice President for Car Planning and Research in 1969. During those years, Ford launched the Mustang, and his proudest accomplishment, the Ford LTD. In the early 1970s, he became Vice President and General Manager of the company's Truck and Recreation Products Operations. Don cherished his time in this department, feeling it was a refreshing change from the politically charged and hectic car division, with its culture of open communication. He was next appointed Executive Vice President in charge of Ford Diversified Products Operations in 1975. In 1977, he was made the head of International Automotive Operations and was also elected to Ford's Board of Directors. In 1980, Don was named President of Ford and tasked with a difficult situation. Like all U.S. car makers, Ford had lost substantial sales to foreign manufacturers that were building higher quality, smaller, and more fuel-efficient vehicles. Don pushed for better products with stronger customer appeal, emphasizing the development of smaller, more efficient cars. Don's strong personal leadership was evident in the way he motivated his workforce and fostered the team concept in product development and other job disciplines. He was known for directing Ford's design staff to create vehicles that they would be proud to park in their own driveways. The result was the sleek, aerodynamic Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable, which were the two best-selling vehicles in the market throughout the 1980s, helping fuel Ford's continued success. In 1981, Don received the University of Washington's highest alumni award, "Alumnus Summa Laude Dignatus," recognizing a legacy of achievement and service over a lifetime, before also obtaining the Stanford Business School Alumni Associations Arbuckle Award for outstanding achievement in business management in 1985. Also in 1985, Don became the Chairman and CEO of Ford Motor Company, and under his leadership, Ford emphasized quality and innovation, which led to increased profitability and market share during his tenure. It was then that Don oversaw the most radical transformation in the history of Ford, and managed the biggest comeback in the motor industry at the time. He outlined his visionary team-oriented approach that became a model for corporate culture worldwide in his book he published in 1991, A Better Idea: Redefining the Way Americans Work. During his time as Ford's Chairman, Don often spoke on platforms like C-SPAN to the significance of traffic safety, placing it above usual CEO topics such as economic issues. His talks highlighted his consumer-centric approach and underscored the critical need for enhancements in vehicle safety, driver education, and pro-seatbelt legislation. Being a father, he actively promoted better training for young drivers to curb alcohol- and drug-related incidents and pointed out the vital role of highway maintenance in bolstering traffic safety. In 1989, Don was named "Chief Executive of the Year", by Chief Executive Magazine, and the same year was named "Manager of the Year," by the National Management Association. In addition to those distinctions, he was honored with the "Semper Fidelis" award from the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, was elected the 1989 Honorary Member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, received the Midwest Research Institute's 1989 Trustee Citation, was a recipient of the Freedom of Human Spirit Award from the International Center for the Disabled, and was honored the National Humanitarian Award from the National Jewish Center of Immunology and Respiratory Medicine. Despite having obtained all these decorations, Don's office at Ford displayed none of his numerous accolades. Instead, he displayed artwork from Cranbrook Art Academy graduates and minerals collected from around the world. When Don retired from Ford in 1990, he was hailed as, "The most successful boss since the original Henry [Ford] in his prime," by Fortune Magazine, and went on to serve on several different boards: namely, a Director on the boards of The Boeing Company, Dow Jones & Co., and Hewlett-Packard. Beyond his professional and personal life, Don's legacy includes his philanthropy and contributions to the fields of science and education, having donated significant collections to institutions like the Cranbrook Institute of Science and The Smithsonian, and through his generous funding, more than a dozen individuals were able to pursue higher education. While Don is widely known for his awards and degrees, his family will remember him most for his love and other hobbies. In the winter Don would enjoy skiing with the family at Otsego Ski Club, in Gaylord, Michigan, as well as several different ski resorts throughout Colorado. In warmer weather he enjoyed playing tennis, golfing "very poorly" as he often said, and traveling. Granddaughter Joanne remembers how his house was filled with the sounds of jazz music, and at Christmas one year he learned how to dub albums and copied over 20 albums of jazz for her so she could learn the "greats." His largest hobby was his love for art and mineralogy, attending mineral and gem shows all over the world, and proudly displaying his latest finds. He befriended sculptor Marshall Fredricks and displayed his sculptures throughout both his home in Michigan and his second home in California. In his quieter moments, ever the Mensa member, you could find him reading a good book and drinking Long Shadows Vintners Wine. Donald Eugene Petersen leaves behind a legacy of innovation, leadership, community engagement, and family that will continue to inspire generations. He is survived by his wife, Jo Anne, daughter Leslie Price, son Donald L. Petersen, granddaughter Joanne Price, and great-granddaughters Samantha and Alexandra Ramos. Donald Petersen's life story is a testament to the impact that visionary leadership can have on the world, blending commitment to quality with a deep respect for the potential of human creativity. His memory will endure as a beacon for all who aspire to make a difference in the world. The family would like to thank the wonderful caregiving team from Homebound Angels, who supported Don through the latter part of his life: Angjelina Gojka, Luljeta Guri, Enilda Shkembi, and Theresa Wilk, as well as Stephanie Gelow, his hospice nurse, from Residential Healthcare Group. Arrangements are private, and expressions of sympathy can be donated to: The Cradle, Cranbrook Educational Community, or to any Alzheimer's Research group. View obituary and share memories at AJDesmond.com