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Naperville Today
By the People, for the People
Naperville's Sterling Bryan McDonald Leaves Legacy as Industrial Engineer, Architect, and Colorist
McDonald's design work on streamliners and airline interiors made him a nationally recognized expert on color and interior design.
Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:06pm
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The legacy of industrial designer and color expert Sterling Bryan McDonald continues to influence the aesthetic and design sensibilities of Naperville, where he lived and worked.Naperville TodaySterling Bryan McDonald was a multi-talented designer who left a lasting impact in Naperville, Illinois. Born in Nebraska in 1892, McDonald had a diverse career that spanned industrial design, architecture, and color engineering. He served as a design coordinator for early Union Pacific and Santa Fe streamliners, and was the interior designer for American Airlines' DC-3 and DC-4 fleets. McDonald also authored several books on design and color, and was known nationally as an expert in these fields, giving lectures both on the radio and in person.
Why it matters
As Naperville has grown over the decades, McDonald's design work on iconic transportation and aviation projects has cemented his legacy as an influential figure in the community. His expertise in color theory and interior design also had a broader impact, helping shape the aesthetics of the mid-20th century.
The details
McDonald was educated at Cotner University and the Art Institute of Chicago, and also studied at the Armour Institute of Technology. In addition to his design work, he served in the Consumer's Durable Goods Division of the Office of Price Stabilization during the Korean War. After retiring, McDonald was an interior decorating consultant with the Kroehler Manufacturing Company.
- Sterling Bryan McDonald was born on November 29, 1892 in Alvo, Nebraska.
- He served in World War I from 1917 to 1919 in France and with the Army of Occupation.
- McDonald first married Etta M. Dotson on May 10, 1916 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Etta passed away on October 13, 1930 in Rochester, Minnesota.
- McDonald married Lenore Ida Clow on September 25, 1946 in Wheatland, Illinois.
- Sterling Bryan McDonald passed away on June 26, 1966 in Naperville, Illinois.
The players
Sterling Bryan McDonald
An industrial engineer, architect, and color expert who left a lasting impact in Naperville, Illinois through his design work on transportation and aviation projects.
Etta M. Dotson
McDonald's first wife, who passed away in 1930.
Lenore Ida Clow
McDonald's second wife, who donated the couple's farm on Knoch Knolls Road to the Conservation Foundation in 1997.
The takeaway
McDonald's diverse design work and expertise in color theory left an indelible mark on Naperville and the broader design world, showcasing how a single individual can shape the aesthetics of an era through their innovative contributions.
