San Rafael

David was born in Chicago, Illinois, to David and Joanne Clegg. Along with his two sisters, he lived his first years in Wheaton, Illinois. At age 7, his family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where he attended Cathedral School and St. Mark’s School for Boys. At East High School he was on the football and tennis teams. He then attended the University of Utah, majoring in Political Science.

Upon graduation in 1967, he moved to San Francisco and began working at Irving Lundborg & Company, a regional securities firm. On his very first day, he met his future wife Diane Johnson, when they shared a desk together.

After two years in the City, David left to attend the University of San Diego School of Law, graduating in the class of 1972. He returned to the Bay Area after law school, marrying Diane in 1973 at Holy Innocents Church in Corte Madera. David practiced law in San Francisco for a period before transitioning into real estate as a broker, founding Talisman Properties in Larkspur Landing.

In 1975 David and Diane bought their first and only house in Terra Linda. Throughout their marriage, they were active parishioners at Holy Innocents. David was on the Vestry numerous times and was Senior Warden twice.

They loved to travel and were fortunate to see parts of Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America, as well as much of North America. David was a charter member of the YMCA in Terra Linda, where he played racquetball several times a week for 40 years.

Starting in August 1992, David and Diane began volunteering for Canine Companions for Independence, which is headquartered in Santa Rosa. It became their vocation and passion. They began by raising an adorable golden retriever pup named Jodie Marie, and going on to puppy raise Patty Ann and Enid Rose. In addition, they volunteered as breeders/caretakers for CCI, whelping 13 litters totaling 100 puppies in their home with breeder dogs Jessica, Pearlie, and Adriana. Many of those pups went on to become CCI service dogs assisting those in wheelchairs, children with emotional problems, and wounded warriors.

In 2016, David began volunteer teaching at Lincoln School, located in the ranchland of west Marin. He was accompanied by his black lab Adriana. Lincoln is a one-room school for kids K through 6th grade and has been in operation since 1873 – currently the longest, continuously running one-room schoolhouse in California.

The students called him “MR. DAVID”. It was here that David was the happiest and found the most satisfaction in his life. It was such a joy for him to see lights go on in their young minds.

David was preceded in death by his parents David H.

Clegg and Joanne Bolger Clegg, and by his sister Susan A. Clegg. He is survived by Diane his wife of 49 years, his sister Carol Hosking of Auckland, New Zealand, nephew James Hosking of New York City, niece Susan Hosking of London, nieces Meghan and Kristen Mitchell of Lubbock, Texas, and his yellow lab Abbey – the 10th dog David and Diane raised.

A celebration of his life will be held at Holy Innocents Church in Corte Madera, California on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Canine Companions at canine.org/donate.