David Metzker Obituary

I am very sorry to hear of Dave's passing. He was really good to work for ...my direct supervisor was Jon Hine, another really good man to work for...I was the Project Manager for the City's John Young Parkway and Interstate 4/Conroy Road interchange projects. Both projects had a lot of "moving parts" and also a lot of people inside and outside of City Hall, public and private entities, who had an interest in those projects...to many their interest was to thwart them . As such, Jon H. and I spent a good amount of time in Dave's office talking through the issues. Dave was always keenly interested, fair and rational/reasonable. He was also open to new ideas or suggestions. I remember I brought to him my idea that we - the City, could place spires and towers at the ends of the I4/Conroy Rd bridge. Having grown up in the Pittsburgh area - "the City of Bridges", I always liked the David McCullough bridge there because of the wonderfully designed bridge towers and unique spire design. Dave embraced this idea - while other managers may have advised me to "stay in my lane" as a PM and stick to the project challenges at hand. Dave was different. He recognized the opportunity. But he said that the developer partner had to participate in the cost. In the end, that happened - we were fortunate that the developer was a good man - actually similar to Dave in many respects....and we had developed a good working relationship with him ....and we got those memorable towers with spires built! We also added the letters for "ORLANDO" ....this was Orlando's western gateway traversed by millions on Interstate 4. Years later, FDOT contacted me and asked for the design plans for the towers/spires and who the vendors were who made them and how we went about delivering this add on project to the interchange. I provided this to FDOT and they essentially copied our design throughout their interchanges in their Interstate 4 masterplan. If Dave was indifferent and wasn't the person he was, this City gateway would not have happened and look of FDOT's Interstate 4 widening project would not what it is today. Other cities contacted me...Jacksonville, St. Petersburgh....and they implemented similar designs. This was how Dave was. Certainly others above Dave also said YES to this ...to their credit... the City had good leadership. I also remember in detail, when Dave walked up to my desk, after he retired from full time service at the City and complemented me on an article I had written that was in the APWA Reporter magazine about my trip to Finland and the conference that APWA provided financial support for. Dave talked in detail about some of the humorous things in the article...and you know, his words were really encouraging to me. I don't play much golf, but I played twice with Dave - once at an ASCE tourney and once in the ASCE league. He was relaxed but had a focused manner and his reverent approach to the game, made an impression on me about who he was. Towards the end of his part time work at the City, he had suggested we go biking in the rolling hills of Mt. Dora. Regrettably I didn't follow up....after I left the City in 2018 and then Covid struck, and we fell out of touch....I wish I had gone for that bike ride. RIP Dave.

Sorry to hear of Dave's passing. It was a pleasure working in his office and I owe him much.

Dave was such a wonderful gentleman and a joy to work with. We worked on the 2004 hurricanes together. He was such a dedicated employee, that he put off his retirement to aid in the recovery. David, I am proud to have known you. RIP, you will be missed.

I have missed David since he left Findlay. We worked together for many years with the City of Findlay. A very sad day when he left and now a sad day with his passing. My heart goes out to his family and he will always be a part of my past.

There was no better definition of "a good guy" than Dave Metzker. He was widely respected and I am proud to say that I had the pleasure of knowing him and working with him. Condolences to the family. R.I.P.

R.I.P. David Metzker. He was a colleague at the City of Orlando and was always a pleasure to work with. Sending prayers to his loved ones at this difficult time.

Very sad to learn of David's passing. My most sincere condolences to Janet and the family. All will miss his presence.
I have been fortunate to have known Dave from FHS, ONU, being fraternity brothers and beyond. Dave was always a gentleman and an accomplished professional.
Sincerely, Gary Royer

My thoughts and prayers are with Dave's family and friends.

Thoughts and prayers from the Family of Jack Ferris, former Findlay, Ohio Street Commissioner & Administrative Asst to the City Engineer under Dave.
Alma, Tom & Paula Ferris

I remember David from grade school....nice kid. Nila (Gallant) Philipps

So sorry to hear of David´s passing. My condolences to Janet and all of the family.
On of my earliest and favorite memories is of some wooden toy airplanes that I received from David that I suppose he thought he had grown to old for. I must have really enjoyed them to remember them after all this time. Once again my sincere condolences.

So sorry Jan and family. Remember the days at St. Marks and Shelly and Jane sharing school memories. Special thoughts to Shelly.