David William Lowe

David William Lowe lived a life that began modestly, but grew into one that reached across continents, courtrooms, and generations. He died on September 1, 2025, at age 90, leaving behind a legacy of service, storytelling, and deep devotion to his family and community.

David was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, on February 15, 1935. During World War II, his father, a railroad engineer for Union Pacific, was transferred to Fresno, California. The family later settled in Richmond, California, where David and his three younger brothers, Jack, Dennis, and Gary, were raised. These humble beginnings shaped the values of grit, humor, and perseverance that defined his life.

After serving in the U.S. Army of Occupation in Berlin during the Korean War, David returned to California to complete his undergraduate studies at UC Berkeley. He was a member of the Order of the Golden Bear and was elected permanent Class President by the Class of 1958, a position he relished. He was then accepted into Berkeley Law and graduated with a J.D., all while working multiple jobs. His loyalty to Cal never flagged, regardless of how his beloved team fared in the Big Game over the years.

David began his legal career as a deputy district attorney in Alameda County before moving into private practice. During this period, he worked on several high-profile cases, including the Presidio Mutiny trial in San Francisco, which solidified his reputation as a fearless advocate and meticulous trial lawyer.

In 1975, David took his young family on what would become a defining adventure: a move from Vacaville, California to Micronesia, where his professional path expanded in extraordinary ways and his personal life was redefined. It was there he met the true love of his life, Eve, with whom he recently celebrated 48 years of marriage.

His work in what was then the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands connected him with the head of the ruling family of the Marshall Islands, Amata Kabua, which led to more than 40 years of trusted counsel to the Kabuas on both family concerns and matters of national importance.

David advised the family during the drafting of the Marshall Islands’ constitution, the pursuit of the nation’s admission to the United Nations, and the negotiations of complex land lease agreements with the United States. During this period, he also spent two years as Special Counsel to the next president, Imata Kabua, and his cabinet. By the end of his tenure, he was recognized as one of the foremost experts on Marshallese customary law and legal practice.

Upon returning to the United States, David primarily worked as a public defender and legal aid attorney. He continued to take on challenging cases, including the two-year long death penalty trial of paraplegic Vietnam veteran Stanley Verkitas. Despite his demanding practice, he was known just as much for the work he did pro bono, driven by his conviction that everyone deserves representation and justice under the law. He was the epitome of a lawyer devoted to public service.

David was a man of wide-ranging passions. In the 1980s, he served on the School Board and later on the City Council in Vacaville, where his sharp wit and strong opinions garnered him both ardent supporters and equally vociferous detractors. In 1992, he represented the Marshall Islands as a delegate to the Earth Summit in Rio di Janeiro. He surprised many when he chose to be baptized at age 84 and joined the Episcopal Church. He loved crime novels, film, and the company of his family. He delighted in telling stories, sometimes at length, to anyone who would listen, and he never tired of cheering on his children and grandchildren in their own pursuits. A proud “yellow dog Democrat” and tireless advocate for social justice, he remained deeply engaged with the world until the very end.

After 63 years of practicing law, David officially retired in June 2025. His career spanned continents, helped shaped a nation, and gave voice to those who could not otherwise have afforded legal counsel. But if you asked him, he would tell you his proudest role was as a husband, father, and grandfather.

David Lowe’s life was both larger than he could have imagined and as grounded as the modest roots from which he came. His family, friends, and colleagues will miss his booming voice, his sharp legal mind, and above all, his unshakable belief in hard work, fairness, and family—and the power of a good story well told.

He is survived by his wife, Eve Lowe; his children, David B. Lowe (Alesia); Pamela E. Dolan (John); stepsons, Nicholas J. Terzich (Joyce); and Alexander M. Terzich (Leslie); and seven grandchildren: Annabel, Ariana, Kathleen, Lee, Ellis, Rhys, and Aubrey. He is also survived by nieces Carla Baku, Haley Lowe, and April Lochrie, nephew Daniel Lowe, and by ten great-nieces and -nephews. David was preceded in death by his parents John and Carla Lowe, by his brothers John, Dennis, and Gary Lowe, by his nephew Scott Lowe, and by his great-niece Chloe Grace Baku.

A memorial service will be held at the Episcopal Church of St. Martin in Davis, California, on Saturday, September 27 at 3pm. Donations to his memory may be made to the St. Martin’s Memorial Fund (churchofstmartin.org) or the American Civil Liberties Union (action.aclu.org).