L. David HINES

On Jan. 10, 2022 the Antelope Valley lost one of her favorite sons, David L. Hines. Dave passed away peacefully while holding the hands of his loving wife, adoring daughters, sister and only granddaughter. Meanwhile the men of his family raised a toast to the life of their grandfather and father- in-law who lived 84 exemplary years and what a life he led.
Born in 1937 in Long Beach, Calif. (because Lancaster didn't have a "real" hospital yet), David spent all of his 84 years in the Antelope Valley. He graduated from Antelope Valley High School in 1955 where he had met Diana Hefferon, the woman he would marry in 1959 and live with for his next 62 years. They lived, quite literally, happily ever after.
David graduated from USC in 1962 as a Doctor of Pharmacy. He and Diana returned to the Antelope Valley to raise their daughters, Jill and Heidi, and start the life of service and relationships that David is known for. David was the well-respected owner of Burns Pharmacy on Lancaster Boulevard. He and Diana successfully built and ran the business for 40 years, from 1962 until their retirement in 2002. This is perhaps the place that most people in the A.V. grew to love and respect David. He had a compassionate heart and a giving hand for those in need, and always the time for counsel with the many who trusted and respected him as medical expert and a leader of the community. But even bigger than that was David's love of just being with people, sharing stories and jokes, spending time listening, helping his clients with problems of all sorts, limited in no way to pharmacy alone. He was once quoted in the Antelope Valley Press, "People meet their friends in here (Burns Pharmacy) and they enjoy that. They feel at home. As you can see, sometimes they drop in just to say hello. You can't beat socializing for luring people in, and it's good for me, too! I love to come to work every morning. Going to work each day is like going to a party with a bunch of friends. Where else could someone feel that way about his job?"
Though he poured his life into Burns Pharmacy, always more important was his family and he definitely made time for his fun. The mountains were a love of David's starting early in his life. He began skiing as a teenager in the local mountains and eventually worked on the Pacific Coast Ski Patrol team through his college years. Beginning in the late 1960s until this day, he and Diana have enjoyed life at their house in Mammoth Lakes for both winter and summer activities. He loved to relax and recreate with his family at Cottonwood Cove on the Colorado River as well. Many a weekend was spent there water skiing, floating in the cool water and soaking in the sun. "Will you look at that!" was a refrain he repeated year after year while gazing across the river, marveling at the majesty of the desert mountains at sunset. After retirement, the High Desert Hunt Club is where David could be found with his hunting dogs, guiding hunters through the western hills of the Antelope Valley. He loved sharing the expertise he had acquired through a lifetime of hunting game of all types, both large and small. An avid fisherman, David and his family often traveled to Baja California where he made lifelong local friends and enjoyed deep sea fishing in Loreto. As an accomplished pilot, David flew his Cessna 182 over a span of 53 years. Only two months ago, David and his youngest grandson, Andrew, flew together for David's last flight after Andrew earned his private pilot's license flying David's airplane. David was emphatic in expressing the joy he felt knowing that his grandchildren shared his same love for outdoor activities, truly happy knowing his passions would live on in each and every one of them.
David was truly a pillar of the community, leading and participating in myriad ways. He was an active member of Rotary International for over 60 years, receiving many accolades and awards for his service and contributions. He was a decorated member of the Commission of the Californias, a partnership between Mexico and California, David serving on the fisheries committee. He served on the Advisory Board for the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) from its inception in the Antelope Valley. He founded the Tributes to Local Caregivers program. He was founding director of the Narcotics, Education and Rehabilitation (NEAR) program, served on the Lancaster Elementary School Board of Trustees, was on the Board of the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and was a founding director of the Antelope Valley Savings and Loan. These are just some of the many, many organizations Dave gave his time and energy to on behalf of his community.
Those who know David best know that wherever he went, he'd find someone he knew. If an acquaintance wasn't there, he would find a common interest and make a new friend. You can only imagine what an evening at the Antelope Valley Fair was like with Dave. Every ten steps someone would stop him to chat, or he would stop to say "Hi" to a friend or customer. It could easily take an hour to get from the entrance gate to the grandstands. Without a doubt, David L. Hines loved all people and everyone loved him.
Those left to cherish David's memory are his wife, Diana, his daughters Jill Bennett (Clint), Heidi Gera (Joe), and his sister Susan Richman and her family. He had six grandchildren, Austin Bennett, Abigail Hogue (Grant), Lane Bennett, Alex Gera, Jason Gera and Andrew Gera. He had one great- grandson, his namesake, Hines Hogue.
Diana and his family request, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in David's name to the Antelope Valley Rural Museum: PO Box 1316, Lancaster, CA 93584 www.avmuseum.org A graveside service for family will be held at a later date.