David M. Yager
David M. Yager, former First District Supervisor, has died at the age of 94. David was the first baby born in what was then the Fleischmann Wing of Cottage Hospital on 15 July, 1930 to Jesse and Helen Yager. David attended the Jefferson School on the Riviera, La Cumbre Junior High School where he was President of his 1945 class, Cate High School class of 1948, Pomona College where he was President of the men’s student body, and Harvard Law School, class of 1955. David served as a Naval Line-Duty Officer from 1956 to 1958. Returning to Santa Barbara in 1958, David began his lengthy life-long law practice. David ran for and was elected Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor in 1976 and was re-elected in 1980 and 1984. Seeking office again in 1988, David was subsequently retired by popular demand.
Notable achievements while on the Board of Supervisors included supporting funds for the Human Services Commission, supporting Bill Wallace’s efforts to limit growth at UCSB, voting to approve expansion of the Biltmore Hotel, voting to approve the Bacara Hotel, sponsoring the creation of the Sana Barbara County Arts Commission, supporting the Arts in Public Places ordinance, and being the deciding vote requiring Exxon to process their offshore oil development at Las Flores Canyon rather than offshore – a controversial decision in which the then Santa Barbara News-Press editorial referred to him as “an airhead.”
David also served on the Santa Barbara Airport Commission, the boards of Old Spanish Days, the Santa Barbara Medical Foundation and the Montecito Community Foundation. He was a past president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, Montecito Association and Casa Dorinda boards. He was also one of the founders of the Westmont Foundation.
In 1960, David married the former Wendy Kratz at All Saints-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Montecito. David and Wendy remained married until 1982 when they separated amicably. Remaining great friends, David and Wendy raised their family together and joined in numerous family reunions. The Yagers were past members of the Valley Club, Knowlwood Tennis Club, and Birnam Wood, and have remained members of the Coral Casino.
Survivors, besides Wendy Yager, are his children, spouses and grandchildren: Craig and Kim Yager and their children Connor and Chase; Chris and Ali Yager and their children Owen and Eliza; and Brian and Megan Yager and their children William, Claire and Caroline.
Services are pending. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara, P.O. Box 3620, Santa Barbara, CA 93130-3620.
