A bright light was extinguished on June 28 when David Norman Lillevand, Jr. passed away at home surrounded by his family. Dave’s extraordinary 88 years were highlighted by his wife Mary Lu and family, his collegiate basketball success, his accomplished legal career, and his opportunities to coach youth, middle school, high school and college teams over the decades. Dave earned the love and admiration of countless relatives, friends, colleagues, clients, and members of his teams who knew him as a wise, warm, upbeat, funny, thoughtful, understated, kind and caring man who did not boast about his many achievements.
Born on May 27, 1937, in Long Beach to David “Bob” and Mary Ann (Kilkenny) Lillevand, Dave shared his birthday with the opening day of the Golden Gate Bridge. Raised in Alameda, Dave, and his brother Peter, attended Saint Joseph’s Grammar School and High School, and spent thousands of hours together at Franklin, Krusi, Lincoln, McKinley and Washington Parks developing all sorts of athletic skills, with a particular focus on basketball.
Dave’s mom passed away when he was 11. That very difficult circumstance provided one profound silver lining. Dave and Peter spent the ensuing summers working at the Kilkenny family alfalfa ranch in NE Oregon where they learned about hard work and the importance of extended family while earning a whopping $10 a day for 12 hours in the fields.
Dave was the Captain and Most Valuable Player as a senior at Saint Joseph’s in 1955, which garnered the attention of coach Phil Woolpert at USF who was busy winning the NCAA championship that same year. During Dave’s first year in the USF program in 1956 (freshman were not eligible to compete at that time), USF repeated as national champions. In 1957, with Bill Russell and KC Jones having moved on to the NBA, Dave’s USF squad extended the all-time consecutive win streak to 60 and went on to the Final Four, losing to a Wilt Chamberlin led Kansas team. One of Dave’s fun memories from that game was finding himself (at 5’10”) in a jump ball with the 7-footer and being eye-level with Wilt’s elbow. In 1958, the Dons lost a heartbreaker in the Sweet Sixteen to the Seattle Chieftains on a 35-foot buzzer beater by Elgin Baylor.
Following graduation from USF, Dave served as an Infantry First Lieutenant in the U. S. Army before returning to USF Law School, from which he graduated at the top of his class in 1963. Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison, then one of San Francisco’s most respected law firms, recruited Dave and it didn’t take long before he became a partner in the corporate group. Dave’s problem-solving skills, clarity of both the written and spoken word, attention to detail, work
ethic and focus on client needs, coupled with his calm demeanor and engaging personality, made him a client favorite. His unshakable fairness and the warmth of his welcome to all employees made him a firm favorite.
Dave met Mary Lu Roberts in 1964, and they wed in 1965 at Mission Delores Basilica in San Francisco. They were blessed to be together for 56 years until her passing in 2021. Their two children, Sara Rose and David Edward, were born while they lived on Ascot Drive in Oakland. Having moved to Piedmont in 1974, the Sotelo Avenue house became the focal point for countless memorable events, including extended family gatherings, sports team celebrations, school functions, community gatherings, and law firm summer associate parties. In 2002, Dave and Mary Lu moved back to Ascot Drive, just a block from their original family home.
Coaching with daughter Sara for Cal State Hayward’s (now Cal State East Bay) women’s basketball
While Dave was an exceptional attorney, those closest to him agree that his true calling was coaching. Dave coached Sara and David’s youth teams in several sports, with a highlight being David’s Piedmont Middle School hoops team notching a remarkable 63-15 record over two seasons, taking on the best teams around the Bay Area.
After retiring from his legal practice in 1992, Dave went on to coach the JV Girls Basketball team at Bishop O’Dowd High School before his daughter pulled him away to join the Women’s Basketball coaching staff at Cal State Hayward (now Cal State East Bay) where she was the head coach. Father and daughter shared 10 years coaching together, tallying many more wins than losses, but most importantly fostering a commitment to team over self that allowed lifelong bonds to forge. In a time before digital video, Coach Dave’s scouting reports, handwritten on yellow legal pads, were unbelievably thorough and accurate and led directly to many Pioneer victories.
Despite numerous accolades, Dave will be remembered most for his caring nature and earnest desire to support all those he encountered, as well as his unparalleled skills at dominoes, jigsaw puzzles and pinball. Understated and a man of few words, he listened more than he spoke, a rare quality. Dave was truly interested in knowing people and understanding what was important to them. Even during recent difficult days in the hospital, Dave made the effort to befriend the many doctors, nurses and staff who collectively provided amazing care. Everyone who interacted with Dave Lillevand felt appreciated.
Dave is survived by his brother Peter (Margit), son David, daughter Sara and daughter-in-law Maryann. He was affectionately known as “Papa” by his adoring grandchildren Conor, Dominic, Helen, Jacob, Kevin, Margo, and Nicholas; “Uncle Dave” to dozens of cousins, nieces and nephews; and “Coach” to hundreds who were lucky enough to be under his wing for a season or two.
Funeral services will be held at Saint Joseph’s Basilica in Alameda at 11:30 a.m. on July 29, 2025.
Donations in Dave’s memory can be made to the Lillevand Family Student-Athlete Endowment at St Joseph Notre Dame High School in Alameda or to any charity meaningful to the contributor.