Tributes

Donald Lee Hastings, a retired business owner and resident of Rancho Mirage, CA died on January 14, 2021, at the age of 89. Donald is survived by his wife of 53 years, Valentina Hastings; his daughters Deborah Mosher (Edward), Dian Rust, Donna Hayward, Dawn Hastings, and his stepdaughter Elizabeth Swatsek (Victor); his sister Eva Noble (Chuck), brother Mark Hastings; his 8 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents Charles and Lucille Hastings, his sister Vera Louise Thomas, brother Charles Hastings and stepdaughter Angelika Straup. He will be deeply missed by his friends, family and all who knew him. His early career was with an agency of the Department of Defense, where he specialized in safe technology, and also trained government personnel. For his exceptional work, Don was honored with a Letter of Appreciation from Lt. Col. Aaron Bank, the Commander of the Army's first Special Forces unit. Don moved on to a very successful career with National Cash Register, becoming one of NCR's top retail sales professionals, selling storewide point-of-sale systems to national retail chains such as Macy's and Bamberger's. He was a lifelong learner in the retail point-of-sale business with an extraordinary ability to connect people and create lifelong relationships with his clients. In 1978, he and his wife, Valentina, founded Electronic Retail Systems, Inc. of Foster City, CA and the business flourished for several decades. Primarily specializing in supermarket and retail point-of-sale systems, Don sold and serviced multiple high-end customers, including Royal Viking Cruise Lines, Safeway and Petrini's supermarkets, and many local restaurants. He became well known in the industry for his expertise and providing the best solutions for his clients. Always ahead of his time, Don installed the first scanning system in California in an independent supermarket. With his family and friends spread across the country and the unprecedented pandemic restrictions, we are honoring Donald with this tribute site. You are welcome to offer condolences, and to add your favorite stories and photos to this site. He will be interred at the Palm Springs Cemetery District's Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City, CA.

Tributes

Mr. Donald Lee Hastings

May 19, 1931 - January 14, 2021