David Arnold McCants

David A. McCants, PhD, age 89, of Fort Wayne died October 12, 2026. David moved to Fort Wayne in 1968 to join the faculty of Purdue University Fort Wayne where he spent 34 of his 40-year career as a professor and administrator in higher education. Born in Dinwiddie County, VA, June 2, 1937, he graduated from Petersburg High School in 1954 and the University of Richmond in 1958. Supported by a Danforth Foundation Fellowship that recognized his record of distinguished academic performance (Phi Beta Kappa) and co-curricular achievements (Tau Kappa Alpha and Omicron Delta Kappa), he prepared for his academic career as a professor of communication at Northwestern University where he received the Master of Arts degree in 1959 and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1964. Before joining the PUFW faculty as Associate Professor of Communication, David held appointments at Amherst College (1962-65) and the University of Kentucky (1965-68). He was promoted to Professor in 1981 and was named Emeritus Professor of Communication upon his retirement in 2002.

David was a trusted teacher, meticulous scholar, and esteemed university and community leader. He specialized in teaching public speaking and the history and criticism of American public discourse. His published research, especially his extensive research about the rhetorical practice of Patrick Henry, paralleled these interests. He served PUFW administratively as Chair of the Department of Communication (1970-88), Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (1988-02), and in a wide array of other roles, among them Speaker of the Faculty (1986-88), Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (1991-93), Interim Dean of the School of Visual and Performing Arts (1995-97), and Interim Dean of the School of Education (1997-99). His academic colleagues elected him President of the Indiana Speech Association (1977-79) and the Religious Communication Association (1978-79), an affiliate organization of the National Communication Association. Locally, he served as President of the Board of Directors of the Fort Wayne Civic Theater (1985-87) and Treasurer of the Board of Trustees of Northeast Indiana Public Radio (1998-00). A devoted Presbyterian, he was ordained deacon and elder in the First Presbyterian Church: he also served at the presbytery level and as a commissioner to the denomination's General Assembly (1989). At First Presbyterian he was closely associated with the administration of the Drama Ministry for many years. He manifested his lifelong love of theater as a community theater actor and audience member for community and professional theater. In retirement, he became a member of Lions Clubs International and served as President of the Fort Wayne Central Lions Club (2014-15); and, later, a member of the Chapel Ridge Lions Club. Also, he was a docent for the Lincoln Museum; an on-air reader for the Audio Reading Service; membership coordinator for the Society of Inkwell Collectors; and an avid domestic and international traveler.

David is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Barbara Short McCants; sons, Mark (Siti) McCants, Irvine, CA., and Matthew (Shari) McCants, Overland Park, KS; daughter, Ellen (Joseph) Selking, Decatur, IN; seven grandchildren, Evan (Taylor) Selking, Collin (Kelsey) Selking, Dylan Selking, Olivia Selking, Myra McCants, Reid McCants and Taylor McCants; and 4 great-grandchildren, Callahan, Vivienne, Harvey, and Millie Selking.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Morris and Alma McCants, Petersburg, VA.; and his brother and sister-in-law, Aubrey and Nancy McCants, Hampton, VA.

Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 pm Monday, October 19, 2026, at D.O. McComb and Sons Lakeside Park Funeral Home, 1140 Lake Avenue, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46805.

A Celebration of Life will be 11:00 am Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church, 300 W. Wayne Street, Fort Wayne.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church