David Edwin Rechenthin

David Edwin Rechenthin, age 80, passed away September 5, 2022. He was a resident of Lake Winnebago, Missouri. David was born on May 8, 1942 in San Angelo, Texas, the youngest child of Clarence and Doris Rechenthin. He spent his formative years in Temple, Texas and graduated from Temple High School in 1960. In school, his poor grades were not for lack of intelligence; he just preferred to work on his car rather than study. When a teacher told him he would never amount to much, David set out to prove her wrong. After enlisting in the Navy and working for six years as an electrician on diesel submarines (USS Capitaine and USS Trout), he returned home to marry his wife of 54 years, Ellen Colley Rechenthin. He then went on to earn multiple degrees, including two Masters, a Doctorate in Business Administration, and several professional certifications. A true adventure seeker, David traveled the world and lived in several places across his extraordinary life. He and his wife moved between Texas, Louisiana, Alaska and Missouri where they owned and remodeled 16 homes together. He was an avid reader who enjoyed woodworking, gardening, and spending time with his family. He had the ability to build or repair almost anything and had a love for hot rods. David was known for his creativity, generosity, quick-wit, and strong work ethic. He was always available to offer support and guidance and encouraged his kids to follow their dreams. One of his dreams was to own a hardware store; so in 1982 he took a break from the corporate world and bought a True Value store in Texas which he successfully owned and operated with his wife for six years. His professional career spanned almost 40 years at various companies, working as a safety engineering specialist and project manager for Consolidated Natural Gas, VECO, and Arctic Slope Regional Corporation. Prior to retirement he discovered a passion for teaching and spent time as an adjunct professor at the University of Alaska where he taught Project Management courses at night while continuing to work full-time during the day. He also published one book with another nearly completed at the time of his passing. David was a man of many talents and interests and will be greatly missed. Survivors include his loving wife, Ellen; daughters Debby (Kevin) Ault of Shawnee, Kansas and Carla (Marc) Roark of Savannah, Georgia; son Michael (Abby) Rechenthin of Chicago, Illinois; sisters Carol Ann Wadley of La Grande, Oregon and Jane (Jim) Ashley of Houston, Texas; brother-in-law J.O. (Jan) Colley of Austin, Texas; grandchildren Brandon, Ryan, Katie, Madison, Cameron, Margaret and Edwin; and numerous nephews, nieces and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Chip Wadley. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 17 at Blue River Church of Christ, 221 NE Woods Chapel Rd, Lee's Summit, MO 64064. Visitation will begin at 10am followed by the Service at 10:45am.

David Edwin Rechenthin

May 8, 1942 - September 5, 2022