Donald Whittier learned philanthropy from his father, Mericos. One of the first independent oil producers in California, “Max” grew up on a potato farm in Maine and came west in 1891. He lost his savings in his first drilling venture in Santa Paula, Calif., but wisely invested in land in Kern County and Los Angeles rich with oil and possibilities. He owned one of the largest oil-producing tracts in the country and co-founded Belridge Oil (which sold for $3.6 billion in 1979). The elder Whittier also developed Beverly Hills. 1 Column Content Background Color White Ali...