David Solenberger
April 27,1947 – March 19, 2014
Dave Solenberger was born in 1947 in Amery, Wisconsin to Ira and Emma Solenberger. Soon, the family relocated to Prairie Village where he graduated from Shawnee Mission East High School in 1965. Dave was a dedicated Boy and Eagle Scout. He graduated from Kansas State University, earning an MA Cum Laude in Economics, and later completed a Public Administration MS from University of Central Michigan.
After a productive 31-year career with US General Accounting Office, Dave retired in 2000, when the agency’s Kansas City office closed. During his career, he interfaced with congressional staff, contributed to GAO Kansas City’s technical assistance team, and helped achieve substantial budgetary savings and management improvements.
Dave raised his two children (Dan Solenberger and Suzie McCall) in Prairie Village with his first wife Judy Armstrong. In 1999, Dave married Susan Burford and became step-father to Susan’s two adult children (John Burford and Katie Burford).
He wanted to make the world around him better (though society’s short comings sometimes frustrated him). He took actions to make a difference in people’s lives through his volunteerism and direct assistance to people. He tried especially hard to help his family. His love of the outdoors and plants inspired him to plant a legacy of trees and perennial flowers in multiple Johnson County cities. He said, the world is a better place when old men plant trees. .
Dave was generous with his encouragement and smiles. His smile could light up the room when he entered. He especially was hopeful for the future and that is how he approached his original diagnosis of metastasized melanoma. Dave participated in multiple clinical trials at MD Anderson to test new chemotherapy protocols and immunotherapy drugs. He always hoped for treatment success, but he also felt his trial participations were worthy because it could help advance future melanoma treatment. Dave prompted the doctor’s smile when he told his doctor that he would like to help make him famous for having cured melanoma.
For the last ten years, Dave’s family and friends have gathered at Outpacing Melanoma 5k to further the cause of curing melanoma and to remember Dave’s life, legacy, and spirit. Everyone can celebrate that legacy when participating in this walk, or planting a flower, taking a hike, loving our family, and saying hello with a big smile to a complete stranger. Dave’s Team also commends our local medical community’s successful efforts moving forward the treatment of melanoma.
