David Metcalfe

David S. Metcalfe, 73, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Feb. 5, 2010, at his home.

He was born in Kansas City, Mo., on Dec. 28, 1936. He was the son of Donald C. and Mildred M. Metcalfe. David graduated valedictorian from Chillicothe High School in Chillicothe, Mo. He graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri in Columbia with a bachelor of science in chemistry and a master of science in medical microbiology at the Medical Center in Columbia. David continued course work toward a doctorate in clinical pathology. He received an National Institutes of Health grant for the study of rheumatic fever.

After postgraduate studies, David became an associate with his father at the Physicians' Clinical Laboratory in Cape Girardeau. He was a member of the board of directors of the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and president of the Cape County County Young Republican Party. He was a member of the Community Concert Board.

In 1963, David moved to St. Louis where he was associated with the Allen Medical Laboratories and director of the microbiology department at St. John's Mercy Hospital. He was treasurer and president of the St. Louis Society of Medical Technologists and a member of the Missouri and American Societies of Microbiologists. He also supervised the laboratory at Christian Hospital Northwest.

In September 1965, David married Sharon R. Cunningham. They have two daughters, Lisa Murray of Phoenix and Elizabeth Raimondo of Kankakee, Ill.

In 1968 the Metcalfes moved to Illinois. David became director of the laboratory at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee. He was a member of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists and sat on the governmental affairs committees of the American Association of Clinical Chemists and the Clinical Laboratory Management Association. He published several articles in the field of immunology, microbiology and clinical chemistry. He was a member of the College of American Pathologists laboratory inspection teams for 19 years. David was an instructor in the School of Nursing at Olivet Nazarene University for 20 years. He established medical technology and phlebotomy curriculum at Kankakee Community College. He received the Illinois State Board of Higher Education Vocational Technical Award for establishing these programs. He was a member of the infection control committee, chairman of the disaster preparedness committee and a member of the safety committee at the medical center.

David was a member of the board of directors of the Kiwanis Club of Kankakee, an elder and Sunday school superintendent at the Presbyterian Church and special gifts chairman of the United Way. He was president of the board of directors of the Thomas L. Mills Scholarship Foundation for 12 years at the University of Missouri.

In 1992, David became director of the laboratory at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon/Charleston, Ill. He was a member of the national team that rewrote the laboratory inspection guidelines for the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations.

In 1997, when he retired from the health center, he and Sharon moved to Cape Girardeau. He was an ordained deacon and elder of the First Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the finance committee, chairman of the stewardship committee, clerk of session and sang in the church choir.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and Rick Werner, a stepbrother who lives in Cape Girardeau.

A memorial service will be at 11 a. m. Monday at the First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau, with the Rev. Paul Kabo officiating. A time with the family in the fellowship hall will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.