Rash's Surname Index
Notes for Donald Stewart Jr. LEAS
Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA) — Thursday, January 9, 1986
Donald Stewart Leas Jr., 67, a member of a prominent Philadelphia family who earned a reputation as a sportsman-pilot and businessman, died Tuesday at his home in Palm Beach, Fla. Raised in Ardmore, he was a former resident of Gladwyne, Haverford, Chestnut Hill, Center City and Southampton, L.I.
He suffered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease. He had battled the disease for five years, according to members of his family.
Educated at Episcopal Academy and Lawrenceville Prep School, he learned to fly at an early age and was one of the founders of Wings Field. During World War II, he was a test pilot for Grumman Aircraft Corp., proving out designs for Navy and Marine fighters such as the Hellcat, Wildcat and Bearcat.
His work won a presidential medal and a commendation presented by Harry S. Truman.
He helped build the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) and entered commercial aviation after the war. He became sales manager of the Philadelphia Aviation Corp., an aircraft dealership that represented a number of manufacturers, including Republic Aviation.
Mr. Leas also organized an air service, Aero Charter, based at Wings. It operated from Wings, from Philadelphia's Northeast Airport and from the Central Airport in Camden.
As time passed, he spent less time in the air and more time at his desk.
He became general sales manager of the men's division of Lilly Pulitzer Inc. and Pulitzer's partner in a firm he founded called Men's Stuff. Men's Stuff produced sportswear sold in Lilly's shops in places such as Southampton, Palm Beach, Newport and Pebble Beach.
He was also president of Leas Enterprises.
Surviving are his wife, Johanna Camilla Snyder Leas; four daughters, Scarlett Robertson, Anne, Alice and Samantha; three sons, Donald 3d, John and
Rodman Wanamaker Leas, and four grandchildren.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Bethesda-By-The-Sea Episcopal Church in Palm Beach.
Contributions may be made in his name to the Neuromuscular Center at the University of Southern California.
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