Harold S. Hirsch, born September 3, 1907 in Portland, Oregon, was a business pioneer, supporter of higher education, and a civic leader. Mr. Hirsch founded the White Stag Manufacturing company after becoming interested in skiing and using a sewing machine to create ski wear in his family's Hirsch-Weis Company. Sales took off and he expanded from ski wear to a broad line of casual sportswear for women and men. A combination of radical new garments and an insistence on quality led to Hirsch becoming known as the father of modern ski wear in the United States.

Mr. Hirsch attended Dartmouth College and Oxford, and remained active in higher education for his entire life, serving as a trustee of Reed College for 34 years as well as Secretary of the Board for 6 years. In addition, he served on the Advisory Board of the University of Oregon School of Business Administration for 23 years and on the University Law School Board of Visitors for 6 years.

In both his own business and in various service positions, Mr. Hirsch worked to eliminate racial and religious discrimination and marginalization. He racially integrated his manufacturing plants during World War II and also had a leadership role in the National Alliance of Businessmen to encourage hiring minority workers. Other civic posts include President of the Port of Portland Commission, Director of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, and service with the Japanese Garden Society of Oregon, the Jewish Historical Society of Oregon, and many other agencies and institutions.

Harold S. Hirsch died at the age of 82 on July 4, 1990 in Portland, Oregon.