David Robert Guntert

Memorial services for David Robert Guntert, 64, Lawrence will be held at 3:00 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2017 at The Prairie (South on E 1900 Road, SE of Lawrence (near the ski lake and practice golf course) Approximately 1.99 miles West on N 1150 Road to top of hill (sight on left side of road) (.37 miles). Family property that was donated to Kansas Land Trust a few years back. It is original prairie grass so please bring lawn chairs if you would like sit. David passed away Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at his home. David was born May 3, 1952 in Topeka, KS the son of Robert H. and Veneta (Kump) Guntert. He was a graduate of Topeka West High School and went on to receive his Bachelor of Liberal Arts & Sciences from the University of Kansas in 1974 and Master of Arts Geography from the University of Kansas in 1978. He was a member of the Triangle Fraternity at KU, GIS (Geographic Information Systems), and The Arc of Douglas County (For People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities). David worked for the City of Lawrence, KS as a City Planner for nearly 40 years since beginning in 1977. He joined the City Planning Department when there was one Director and only two Planners and watched it grow to the large and full capacity of staff as of today, as the City grew and expanded. During his tenure, he was involved in many aspects of the business working with staff support of the Board of Zoning Appeals, Planning Commission and City Commission Boards. He also worked on the preparation of multiple longrange documents as a policy/research planner in his early years in the office. These plans included Neighborhood Plans, Plan 95, the Douglas County Guide Plan, the Downtown Comprehensive Plan and Horizon 2020. He provided staff support and analysis for four Decennial Census periods. He provided countless hours of behind the scenes work to build and maintain various data layers on the City’s Geographic Information System. Previously worked for Pete Whitenight at Men’s Town Shop Clothiers from 1974 to 1977 in downtown Lawrence. He married Teresa Frances on June 25, 1978 in Lawrence. She survives of the home. Other survivors include three children, Jordan Schyler Guntert, Lawrence, Ehren David Guntert, Dallas, TX, Tayler Frances Guntert, Aurora, CO; one brother, John Albert Guntert, Topeka; brotherinlaw, Timothy Hearshman, Olathe, KS; nephew, Dan (Daniel) Hearshman and his wife, Tracy Lawrence; and uncle, Don Gardner and his wife, Beverly, Lawrence. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Margaret Anne Guntert Hearshman, Olathe. He was a faithful, dedicated and supportive father, husband, son and sibling and was known to all, throughout his life, for his enduring stability, humbleness, steadiness and huge heart of compassion. He fell deeply in love with Jesus as a young man as he would constantly seek to serve Him boldly in whatever capacity God would direct him. Over the past several years he joined his wife to minister in the streets of Lawrence in order to reach the lost and offer healing to those in need, operated a Healing Room Ministry, opened his home to strangers off the streets to detox and restore, offered a Fathering role to those who were in need and lent a steady hand to all who were seeking peace and restoration. He was the Rock behind supporting his wife who continues to go about ministering to the hurting and lost locally while he stayed faithful to his work with the City in order to financially support their ministries, never asking for alms or seeking tax deductions. He truly saw the vision of the church of Jesus functioning outside the walls of buildings just as in the days of old. Memorials may be made in his name to the Healing Streams Ministry or TARC and may be sent in care of the Warren-McElwain Mortuary. Online condolences may be posted at warrenmcelwain.com. Please sign this guestbook at Obituaries.LJWorld.com.