David William Metzenthin

David W. Metzenthin passed away Saturday, October 8, 2022 at his home in Hoyt.  He was 68. His loss is felt by anyone who encountered his infectious smile and his inspiring joy of life.

David was born September 16, 1954 in Topeka the son of Waldemar and Lois (Diepenbrock) Metzenthin.  He occasionally attended and even graduated from Topeka High School with the class of 1972.  He also attended Ottawa University.  David was employed by the State of Kansas in purchasing for 15 years before medical retirement. He had previously worked for Kansas Electric Supply Company.

David adored all things New Orleans, particularly the annual Jazz Festival and all the food surrounding it. As with everything he enjoyed, David made sure to share the culture of New Orleans as much as he could, introducing many friends and family members to its food and music. He also developed a deep and lasting connection to Haiti and its people while serving on mission trips there with his daughters and friends.

He was famously known in the Topeka area for, among other things, donning a white tuxedo while driving his distinct, very green power wagon jeep in many of the Topeka St. Patrick’s Day parades. He also loved cooking—almost as much as he loved sharing dishes and recipes with friends and family at the many, many gatherings at his home over the years. He was more than just a generous host—he simply was not satisfied unless others were enjoying themselves, and no one ever left David’s home disappointed or without a warm memory.

He is survived by his father, Waldemar “Bud” Metzenthin of Topeka; his wife, Janine Moody Silsby of Hoyt; his former spouse, Jaymee Schroeder, and their two daughters, Adriene Williams of Topeka and Mariel (Ross) Johnson of Parkville, MO; two step-sons, Christopher (JessicaBrater) Silsby of Bloomfield, NJ and Michael (Billie Jean Van Knight) Silsby of St. Paul, MN; a sister, Carolyn (Art) Sandquist of Topeka; two grandchildren, Campbell Williams and Marlo Johnson and two step grandchildren, Ezekiel Silsby and Eliezer Silsby.  David was preceded in death by his mother.

He is also survived by countless friends who considered him family and who benefited from both his generosity and his shining example of enjoying life to the fullest.

Memorial contributions can be made to the following: The New Orleans Musicians' Clinic and Assistance Foundation, www.neworleansmusiciansclinic.org , or the Pazapa Center for Children with Disabilities, Haiti www.pazapa.org

A celebration of David’s life will take place at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, November 5, 2022 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Topeka, www.uuft.org

davidsonfuneral.com.