David Lewis Summa of Smithville, Missouri, age 62, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 from sudden heart complications.

David was born on December 15, 1960 to Donald Lewis Summa and Evelyn Louise (McGinley) Summa in Albany, Missouri, where he grew up.  At 10 years old the family moved to live in various farm homes in the Denver and Allendale area.  David graduated from Worth County High School in 1979.  He worked alongside his father and brother doing building and carpentry work until he married his High School Sweetheart, Robin Lynn (Rowen) Summa on May 16, 1980.  They had their first daughter, Valerie Lynn (Summa) Partch in 1982 and shortly after the birth of their second, wonderful and fabulous, daughter Erin Nichole (Summa) Vernon, David went on to complete his Associate's Degree in Mechanical Engineering at Platte College in St. Joseph, Missouri from 1984 to 1986.  After completing his degree, their youngest son, Matthew Lewis Summa, was born.

David worked for Midwest Conveyor from May of 1986 until May of 1994.  In 1992, David and his family moved to the Kansas City area and in May of 1994 he began working for KCI, Inc.  In 1993, David, with his older brother and father, their last major project together, building David and his family the house that would become the family's permanent residence.  In April of 2006, David began working for Genesys.  His job titles at Genesys included, Project Engineer, Manufacturing Manager and Senior Project Engineer.

Throughout his career, David would become highly respected for his expertise in Drafting, Design and Engineering.  David was part of the era that would go through the age of drafting solely on paper and then later master computer drawings and 3D modeling, becoming highly respected for his versatility and knowledge in the engineering world.

It would be impossible to mention David's success without mentioning his genuine care and enjoyment of others and those he worked with.  He became a mentor to a younger generation of engineers and the engineering world has truly lost one of its greatest contributors.

He never met a stranger and was always happy to visit with others.  He loved to tinker in the shop, play in the dirt with his bobcat, and work in the fields on his tractor.  He loved the company of others while he worked whether they were helping or not!  His attention to detail and expertise in so many things made him such an invaluable resource to so many people.  Without hesitation, he would help others, expecting nothing in return, which brought him so much happiness and joy.

David and Robin enjoyed roadtrips together, seeing the countryside, boating, and spending time with friends and family.  Sometimes it was in their RV and sometimes it was trucking here or there to get trailers or other equipment David had found on Craigslist or Marketplace.  If anyone ever needed to find a good deal on Marketplace, David could find it & help you get or sell it!

He had always been a gearhead, enjoying anything with a motor and wheels.  In his teens he always had some kind of muscle car or motorcycle. This passion continued throughout his entire life. Him and his brother, Gareth, built a pulling tractor for competitions and worked on many projects together.  They built mini bikes and scat cats for the kids and cousins to race around the property on.  He worked on engines, tractors, buildings, the list is endless.  He loved roadtrips with friends and family enjoying all kinds of adventures on his motorcycle, RV, pontoon boat, and truck/trailer.

David was baptized in his youth.  He was a member of Denver Christian Church for many years.  He served as a member and elder of Hoover Christian Church, where he became acquainted with and later would become a member of a small group that studied the Bible together for many years.  David, alongside his wife, Robin, led his family, as his parents did before him, in developing a relationship with Jesus and a strong Christian faith.

He loved his family dearly and was so proud of every single one of them.

He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Summa, his mother, Louise Summa, his older brother Gareth Summa, and his older brother-in-law, Doyle Sager.  He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Robin Summa; his 3 children, Valerie Partch (Martin), Erin Vernon, Matthew Summa (Malorie); eight grandchildren, Raegan, Lael, Kennedy, Skye, McKinley, Eliana, Stone, and Adonias; his older sister, Janet Sager; and many loved extended family members.  We can only imagine the wonderful reunion he had!

Funeral Service: 2:00 PM Sunday, December 10 at the Roberson-Polley Chapel, Albany. Burial in the Miller Cemetery, Denver, MO. The family will receive friends 1:00 - 2:00 PM prior to the service on Sunday at the chapel. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to a charity of the donor's choice and can be mailed to Roberson-Polley Chapel, 403 N. Hundley, Albany, MO 64402.