Bea Wihite
On Monday, January 30, 2023, the Colorado Aviation Historical Society lost a true champion when Bea Khan Wilhite passed away at age 90.
As one of its earliest members, Bea holds the distinction of being our society’s first – and thus far only – female president, serving in that position from 2002 to 2008.
Bea participated in a number of special workgroups during her fifty years with the society. She was not only instrumental in the design and development of our Heritage Hall at Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum, but also worked tirelessly with a handful of others to produce some of the best Hall of Fame banquets of the past few decades.
In 2005, in an effort to generate activities that might attract younger interests in the society, Bea authorized the formation of AvAr, the Colorado Aviation Historical Society Aviation Archaeology program. She was no bystander. She was among the eighteen candidates who attended the first
training class in 2006 and completed the requisite field training exercise, scaling to an elevation of 10,200 above sea level, to the Stormy Peaks B-17 crash site. She was 74 years old, at that time.
Bea was well known in the international fashion industry. She was a highly sought-after industry consultant and produced numerous fashion show events around the world. Among her many professional achievements, she served as an award-winning president of the Fashion Group
International (FGI), a non-profit association of professional executives worldwide, promoting the advancement of careers in the fashion and related lifestyle industries. Bea also spent a number of years on the board of The Emily Griffith Opportunity Schools fashion design program. While she dedicated much of her time to philanthropy, Bea was especially proud of her involvement with the Block Buster Race, an annual walk/run event she founded and presided over for more than 16 years, raising funds and awareness for hospice care. Among the many other organizations that she donated her time and resources to were the American Cancer Society, Rocky Mountain Airshows, Hospice of St. John’s, Rocky Mountain Aviation Center, and Wings Over the Rockies Museum.
Bea Khan Wilhite’s many contributions and unique flair will be reflected in the endeavors of the Colorado Aviation Historical Society for many years to come.