Obituary for Menter Haniel David

Our Dad, Dr. Menter H. David, an extraordinary soul whose journey began on July 4, 1934 in India, peacefully departed this world on October 8, 2023, surrounded by the love of his family at his Olathe home.

Dad was born to Daniel and Irene (Karimullah) David in India. On May 23, 1962 he married our mom, Vidya Motilall. With his family, Dad immigrated to the US in 1973 and lived in Manhattan and Great Bend before settling in Olathe, Kansas.


Dad was an educator at heart and taught at Mayo College in Ajmer, India for many years. With a heart devoted to knowledge, Dad earned his PhD from Kansas State University, and continued to share his wisdom as a dedicated life sciences professor at Barton County Community College until his well-deserved retirement in 1997. In addition to teaching, Dad possessed a remarkable musical talent, gifted with the ability to play and compose music solely by ear. He was a recording artist in both India and the US. Dad played a number of instruments, including the accordion, harmonium, tabla, and dholak. Dad also enjoyed traveling and had visited many places not only in the US, but also around the world.

Dad's spiritual journey began when he accepted Christ as his personal Savior at a revival meeting in India. We know that Dad is with our Father in heaven and we have the hope and promise of being reunited with him. This separation is only temporary! He was a former member of the First United Methodist Church in Manhattan and Great Bend, and a current member of the College Church of the Nazarene in Olathe.

Dad's legacy lives on through his beloved wife, Vidya, their children Rene (Michael) Bair and Sujote (Lisa) David, as well as his cherished grandchildren Christopher (Kelsey), Benjamin, Aaron (Katelyn), Hannah, Christine, Isaac, and great-grandchildren Lucy, Jude, and Evan. He is also survived by his brother Bliss (Iris) David. Dad now joins his parents, Daniel and Irene David, and sister Tryphina Hern in eternal peace.

We will celebrate Dad’s life on Dec 30 at 11:00 am at College Church of the Nazarene in Olathe, Kansas. Come join us as we celebrate Dad by singing and sharing memories! In lieu of flowers, we kindly request that memorials be made to the College Church of the Nazarene Missions Fund.