David Dorgan O'Brien

David Dorgan O’Brien passed away on May 27, 2025, after a long illness.

Dave is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Anne Ehrlich O’Brien, three children and their spouses: Mary Elizabeth (Ma’Lis) and Warren Harvey of Eugene, Madeleine and Greg Molitor of Portland, and Kevin O’Brien and Katie Bloom of Eugene, and four grandchildren: Keyon and Finn O’Brien and Emily and Nick Molitor. He is also survived by a brother, Steve O’Brien of Chico, California. Dave was predeceased by his sister, Joan O’Brien Green, and his parents, George and Virginia Graves O’Brien.

He was born and raised in Napa, California, and graduated from Napa High School in 1960, having served as student body president, a member of the baseball team, and captain of the basketball team. He and Anne were classmates at Napa High but didn’t fall in love until he was in law school and she invited him over to meet her roommate. Dave and Anne’s first three dates were track meets.

Dave received a BA in political science/international relations from the University of California at Berkeley in 1964, a JD degree from the University of California Hastings College of the Law in 1967, and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma in 1977.

He served in the US Air Force as an intelligence officer in Nakhon Phanom, Thailand (1969-1970) and Wiesbaden, Germany (1970-1973). He worked in administrative positions at several public and nonprofit organizations in Eugene, Portland, and Salem.

Dave was a baseball umpire for many years, starting while in high school. He also worked as a basketball referee. But, the real love of his life was volunteering as a track and field official for over 30 years, most of those years as the head discus official at Hayward Field. He also volunteered at Lane Community College, Oregon State University, and local high schools. For a number of years, he travelled around the US to work at national open and collegiate track meets.

Anne and Dave were members of the Oregon Track Club, where he served on the board for 20 years. He was president of the OTC Masters division and was chair of the officials committee for ten years. OTC presented Dave with its Reske Award for Outstanding Volunteer. He received awards from USA Track and Field Oregon and USATF National. Recently, he was nominated as a candidate for the USATF National Officials Hall of Fame.

Dave played golf for many years but, per his perception, never played well enough. He enjoyed reading and having lively discussions about history, politics, the environment, and sports. He also enjoyed being part of several men’s discussion, lunch, and poker groups. He planned and led several trips to Civil War battlefields with family and friends. Dave also served on the board of Beyond War Northwest.

He and Anne were able to travel extensively in retirement, including Africa, Asia, Australia, North America, Central America, South America, and Europe.

Dave was a loyal and devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, and friend. His laugh, passion, and spirit will be missed.

A celebration of life will be held on August 10, 3 PM, in the hall at St Jude Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to the Oregon Track Club, continuing Dave’s legacy of supporting the sport he loved or Sacred Heart Hospice.