David A. North was born in Rockford on November 20, 1929, the son of Frank P. and Rhoda Woodman North, passed away in Florida on June 3, 2017. He graduated from Rockford West High School, where he was recipient of the American Legion Citizenship Award. He attended University of Wyoming on a football scholarship, then transferred to University of Arizona, where he was captain of the golf team. Following graduation, he became a naval officer and served in Korea as a fighter pilot aboard the USS WASP aircraft carrier. After his military service, he attended the University of Illinois School of Law, where he earned his J.D. He was a practicing attorney in Rockford for many years following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Attorney Harry North and his father, Attorney Frank North. He was a member of Rockford Country Club, Kiwanis Club, and served on the board of Winnebago County Department of Health.