Olive Ann Beech; Acclaimed Aviator, Executive

Olive Ann Beech, 89, co-founder of Beech Aircraft Corp. and first woman recipient of the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy. Mrs. Beech, who founded the company with her late husband, Walter, in 1932, served as president from his death in 1950 until 1966 and remained board chairwoman until 1982. Raytheon Co. acquired Beech in 1980. A member of the National Aviation Hall of Fame, Mrs. Beech received the Wright award, considered aviation’s highest honor, from the National Aeronautic Assn. In 1965, she was named Outstanding Woman in the Field of Business by Who’s Who of American Women, and in 1973 Fortune magazine listed her as one of the 10 highest-ranking women executives in major U.S. corporations. On Tuesday in Wichita, Kan.