David Orin Schiller
David Orin Schiller, aged 71, died suddenly on June 15, 2024, in Santa Ana, California. He was born on September 22, 1952, in Long Beach, California, the only son of Harold and Lottice Schiller’s four children. He attended Robert A. Millikan High School, in Long Beach, where he excelled in track and field and set a record in the shot put that has never been surpassed (62’1.5”). At UCLA, he earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and competed successfully in javelin, discus and shotput. At 6’1” tall and 220 pounds, David was written up in the Daily Bruin as “the little guy with the big heart.”
He joined Lectrokem, Inc., his father’s company, which manufactured chemical solutions in the plating of printed circuits, and as vice president managed the business end of the company and increased its size. He later started his own companies, Sivan Chemicals, in Israel, and SDA Chemicals, in Garden Grove. David foresaw the need for water treatment systems. Working with his daughters, Sivan and Annie, David developed SDA Chemicals as an importer of raw materials for industrial water treatment, for sale to American companies. The business flourished. David lived for many years in Seal Beach and Long Beach and, for five years, in Santa Barbara.
David is remembered as an astute and accomplished businessman, a loving father and brother, a hilarious storyteller, and a good friend. He was also an adored uncle, who made every niece and nephew feel special and, with thumb wars, arm wrestling competitions and head size comparisons, he added eccentric fun to family gatherings. In later years, David volunteered for Casa Youth Shelter and People Assisting the Homeless (PATH), where he facilitated support groups for homeless men.
He is survived by his children, Sivan Schiller and Annie (Karie) Chupp, and his siblings, Deborah Schiller and Simi (Andy) Barrad. His older sister, Morissa (Gopa) Dougherty, pre-deceased him. He is also survived by Fabienne Lawrence, his first wife and the mother of his children, by Lauren Pearl, his second ex-wife, and by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Casa Youth Shelter (https://