David E. Newhouse

1944 - 2025

David E. Newhouse
05/25/1944 - 09/02/2025
David Enne Newhouse was born on May 25, 1944 in Klamath Falls, Oregon, and passed away peacefully surrounded by family on September 2, 2025 at his home in San Mateo.
David was the second of three children (along with brother Henry, and sister Margaret) born to Henry and Harriet (nee Ware) Newhouse. Growing up, the family lived on various ranches and farm properties in northern California's Butte Valey and Surprise Valley, where their mother worked in the local hospital. Their rural childhood changed when, in 1961 the family moved to Dana Point, where David completed his senior year, graduating in the class of 1962 from San Juan Capistrano High School.
A good student, David went on to study physics at UC Berkeley ('66). After graduation he moved to Idaho Falls to take up a defense deferral job at the Idaho National Laboratory, where David learned to play poker in the back of the daily bus to work. In 1968 David embarked on a new job with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory becoming a patent agent. Discovering he had a talent for technical writing, Livermore Labs supported him to pursue a law degree at the University of San Francisco.
David graduated from USF with a Juris Doctorate in 1972, and was admitted to the bar the same year. So began a long and storied (David sure could tell a story!) career in patent law and intellectual property rights. He was never afraid to stand up for the little guy, and loved that his job gave him the opportunity to continue to expand his knowledge.
It was while working at Livermore and going to law school at night that David met Yvonne Dion, on Saint Partick's Day 1970. It was a whirlwind romance, and they were married before a year was out, celebrating their marriage on January 17, 1971, at a ski cabin in Carnelian Bay, Lake Tahoe. Their more than half-century of life together was filled with love, skiing, dancing, hiking, adventure and quite a lot of bushwhacking.
In 1975, David and Yvonne welcomed their first daughter, Camilla, who was joined by Léonie in 1978. In 1982 the family moved to San Mateo, where David could be seen firing the starting gun at local swim meets and getting involved in local issues-from protecting green space, ensuring roads get plowed, and preserving public access to shorelines.
David was a dedicated husband, father, mentor and counsellor. His home was a place where all were welcomed, and where hard truth telling went hand in hand with fierce love and a twinkling eye. He is survived by his wife Yvonne, sister Margaret, half-brother Dean, daughters Camilla and Léonie, and best (canine) friend Bruiser. He was the proud grandfather of Margaux, Tessa and Trip (Richard). He will be remembered with love, fondness and laughter.
A celebration of David's life is planned for Summer 2026 in Serene Lakes, California.