David P. Theroux (1948-2019) was an influential American libertarian economist, publisher, and think tank executive known for his advocacy of free-market principles, limited government, and individual liberty. Born in California, he earned a B.A. in economics from the University of California, Berkeley. Early in his career, he served as the founding president of the Pacific Research Institute for Public Policy in San Francisco, promoting market-based solutions to public policy challenges. In 1984, he co-founded The Heartland Institute with Joseph L. Bast, a Chicago-based think tank focused on environmental policy, education reform, and climate change skepticism from a free-market perspective. Two years later, in 1986, he established the Independent Institute in Oakland, California, serving as its president until his death. Under his leadership, the Independent Institute published over 80 books and hundreds of studies critiquing government intervention in areas such as healthcare, foreign policy, and civil liberties, while hosting conferences and media outreach to influence public opinion and policy. Theroux's work emphasized rigorous, independent scholarship and bridged academic economics with practical policy advocacy. He was a frequent contributor to libertarian publications and events, and his efforts helped build networks of influence within conservative think tanks. Theroux passed away on April 23, 2019, in Oakland, leaving a lasting legacy in the promotion of classical liberal ideas.