David N. Lawyer Jr. ’68
Laws died July 15, 2003, in Santa Barbara of leukemia, which he had fought for seven years. He was 57.
Laws came to Princeton from Oxnard [Calif.] HS, where he was a basketball star, class valedictorian, and California Boy of the Year. At Princeton, he ran varsity track and played varsity basketball. He ate at Cottage Club.
He taught at Thacher School after graduation and then moved to the U. of California, Santa Barbara. He next moved to Santa Barbara City College, where he founded and chaired the ethnic studies department.
He taught ethnic studies and political science for 23 years, and continued as an adjunct professor at UCSB. He was one of the most well-liked teachers at SBCC, and, according to SBCC president John Romo, one of its top professors. Laws's love of teaching never abated, and it showed in the tremendous accolades given him by his students over the years.
Laws was, above all, devoted to and proud of his family. He is survived by his wife, Tracey; sons David III and Kerry; and daughters Tracey and Kymberly. To all of them, the class extends its deepest sympathies.
The Class of 1968
Paw in print
March 2026
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Matt Weiner
2 Weeks AgoA Lasting Impact
Professor Lawyer was my professor at SBCC and had a deep impact on my learning. I was trying to figure out how to be a student, had almost failed out of high school, and Lawyer’s classes were rigorous and challenging but so stimulating that I learned how to learn from him, found my way to NYU and then Harvard Divinity School, and then here to Princeton as a dean in the Office of Religious Life. I am so saddened by his death, and yet am joyous to know that his impact was so great.