Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

December 9, 2021

CHARLOTTE – Don Hudler spent a lifetime helping people achieve the American Dream, the part of it that included a great American automobile. A child of Detroit, he rose in the ranks of General Motors when GM was King. Early in his career, he sold us on the power and prestige of Cadillacs. Years later, he became president of Saturn, GM’s daring new compact car.

Donald Wiley Hudler left us on Dec. 9, 2021. Until the day he died at age 87, he was, as his wife so simply and powerfully put it, “A real car guy.”

Don was born in Detroit on July 20, 1934, with his twin brother, Ron, sons of Fred and Myrtle Hudler. The dye was cast early. His dad worked for GM, moving the family to Ohio around World War II when he was assigned to supervise a plant that was manufacturing military vehicles. Don and Ron attended Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio, where Don ran track and belonged to Sigma Phi Epsilon. The brothers shared a Cadillac on campus, though their friends thought each one had their own since no one could tell the Hudler boys apart. After graduating in 1956 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration, Don began working for GM.

In a career spanning 43 years, there was no stopping him.

He held a number of key GM positions starting with Cadillac, including National Merchandising and Marketing Director. He spent three years in Madrid, Spain, as Regional Director of Marketing with responsibility for Belgium, France, Italy and Spain. When GM created the Saturn Corp. in 1985 for the compact car market, Don sculpted the company’s marketing effort that stressed value, reliability and customer service. He served as president of Saturn from 1995-99. In many ways, he became the face of innovation for the world’s largest automaker. At six feet four, with long silver hair and an air of quiet confidence, he was the man for the job. Don was also a Vice President of GM.

He wasn’t into accolades, just achievement. He’d say, “Smart peacocks don’t fan their feathers until they’re at the top of the hill.” No wonder colleagues considered him a game-changer. Don was also known for his hard work, fairness and generosity.

Even his personal life was enriched by GM. Dannielle Colliver worked at an advertising agency in Detroit that handled the Cadillac account. That’s how she met Don. Dannielle later rose to Director of Advertising for Chevrolet. They were married in 1993 and moved to Charlotte in 1999 after he retired from GM. Don continued his automotive interests by owning Saturn dealerships in Dallas and Houston and later Cadillac and Hyundai dealerships in Houston.

Don is survived by his wife, Dannielle Colliver-Hudler, and stepdaughter, Victoria (Robyn) Colliver, both of Charlotte.

A private memorial service is planned.

A gift in his honor can be made to the Scholarship Fund at Ohio Wesleyan University, 61 S. Sandusky St., Delaware, Ohio 43015 (www.owu.edu/give). Half of any funds will be designated for female students. During his time with GM, he helped promote educational scholarships as well as blood drives and organ transplant programs. He also served on the boards of Coachmen Industries, Saab and Compaq Corp.

The family is grateful for the care and kindness shown by everyone at Sharon Towers, where Don was a patient at the Health Care Center.

Don Hudler was a man of substance, a leader in a great American industry during those glory years when your dad (or mom) pulling into the driveway with a new GM car was the stuff of dreams come true.

He was also a man of style. Don found time to indulge his love of travel.  Before his illness, he’d sit on the terrace of their home in Charlotte, a cigar in one hand, a glass of wine in the other, their Cadillac in the garage. Life was good.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC; 28204 (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.