David Sills

David George Sills was born on March 21, 1938, and died on August 23, 2011. He was an American legal professional and judge who served as the presiding justice for the California Court of Appeal for the Fourth Appellate District, Division Three. Sills also held the position of mayor of Irvine, California, a city recognized as the largest planned city in the United States.

Sills earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Bradley University in 1959. He subsequently obtained a law degree from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1961. Between 1960 and 1965, he served in the United States Marine Corps, achieving the rank of captain.

He practiced law privately in Orange County, California, from 1965 until 1985. During this period, Sills was involved in political activities as well. He was a member of the Republican State Central Committee of California from 1966 to 1968 and served as Chairman of the Republican Associates of Orange County from 1968 to 1969.

From 1976 to 1985, Sills was an elected member of the Irvine City Council, serving as mayor for four of those years. During his tenure on the city council, he collaborated with colleagues to manage Irvine’s rapid growth.

In 1985, Sills was appointed to the California Superior Court by Governor George Deukmejian. He served as a judge in this court until 1990, when he was elevated to presiding justice of the California Court of Appeal by the same governor. Throughout his judicial career, Sills authored approximately 2,400 legal opinions.

Beyond his judicial duties, Sills was actively involved in philanthropy. He was the founding chairman of the Irvine Health Foundation, a position he held for 26 years. Under his leadership, the foundation granted over $25 million to organizations in Orange County aimed at addressing health issues for those in need.

Regarding his personal life, Sills was married to Maureen Reagan, the daughter of U.S. President Ronald Reagan, from 1964 to 1968. Prior to developing knee problems, he participated in marathon running and frequently competed in the Boston Marathon. He enjoyed woodworking, maintaining a comprehensive set of tools and machinery stored in his garage, which he referred to as the "Sills Cabinet Shop." Additionally, Sills possessed an extensive library at his residence in Irvine, where he studied history and politics.