Background
Thurber, Donald MacDonald Dickinson was born on February 3, 1918 in Detroit, Michigan, United States. Son of Donald MacDonald Dickinson and Fayetta Cecelia (Crowley) Thurber.
Thurber, Donald MacDonald Dickinson was born on February 3, 1918 in Detroit, Michigan, United States. Son of Donald MacDonald Dickinson and Fayetta Cecelia (Crowley) Thurber.
AB magna cum laude, Harvard University, 1940.
Private tutor, Detroit, 1937-1939. House manager Cape Playhouse, Dennis, Massachusetts, 1940. Executive secretary youth division Democratic National Committee, 1940.
Membership secretary Harvard Club, New York City, 1940. Project supervisor Detroit Council for Youth Service, 1941-1943. Representative for Michigan, National Foundation Infantile Paralysis, 1943-1946.
Secretary, administrator Wayne County (Michigan) chapter, 1946-1950. Executive director Governor Michigan Study Commission on Deviated Criminal Sex Offenders, 1950-1951. Executive secretary Mayor Detroit Committee Rehabilitation Narcotic Addicts, 1951-1953.
Secretary, assistant treasurer Michigan Rotary Press, Inc., Detroit, 1953-1954, president, 1954-1958. Executive vice president Public Relations Counselors, Inc., Detroit, 1958-1961, president, from 1961.
Board directors Clan Donald Foundation, since 1994. Member Michigan Crippled Children Commission, 1954-1958, vice chairman, 1956-1958. Planning director Episcopal Diocese of Michigan, 1958-1962, member executive council, 1963-1966.
Consultant to Secretary Interior, 1962-1968. Member National Park Trust Fund Board, 1963-1967. Board regents University Michigan, 1958-1963.
Member Michigan Board Education, 1965-1967. Member board overseers committee to visit Harvard College, 1964-1970. Member Michigan Citizens Committee for Higher Education Planning, 1967-1969.
Chairman Wayne County Community College, 1968-1972, trustee, 1968-1974. Member Advisory Committee on Higher Education Planning in Southeastern Michigan, 1970-1972. Advisor National Trust History Preservation, 1972-1978.
Board directors National Park Foundation, 1974-1980, founder and historian, since 1992. Member advisory council to Secretary Commerce, 1976-1977. Former vice president Detroit Grand Opera Association.
Member advisory committee Detroit Urban League. Trustee Clan Donald Lands Trust, Isle of Skye, Scotland, since 1979. Trustee, vice chairman St. Gregory's Abbey Foundation, Three Rivers, Michigan, 1984-1992.
Trustee Michigan History Center Foundation, vice chairman, since 1992. Member Michigan History Commission, 1984-1987. Board directors Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Michigan, 1986-1992, chairman board, executive committee, 1988-1992.
Michigan executive committee United Negro College Fund. Board directors Friends of University Michigan Library., 1988-1996. Member Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall Volunteer Council, Detroit History Society, Michigan History Society, Friends of Detroit and Grosse Pointe Public Libraries, Michigan Natural Areas Council, Michigan Nature Association, Clan Donald-United States of America (Great Lakes commissioner emeritus, Michigan commissioner emeritus), Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, Society Colonial Wars, Society War of 1812, State Society of the Cincinnati of Pennsylvania, Military Order Loyal Legion United States, Order Founders and Patriots American, Colonial Order of Acorn, St. Nicholas Society, Prismatic Club (Detroit), Detroit Club, Harvard Club (Eastern Michigan, New York City, Boston).
Married Margaret Worcester Dudley, June 6, 1964.