David Menton

Dr. David Menton
1938–2021

Dr. David Menton held a PhD in biology from Brown University and worked as an anatomy professor at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis before he retired. Afterward he served at Answers in Genesis as a speaker, writer, and researcher. He also ran several popular workshops for kids and families at the Creation Museum.

Dr. Menton was born in Minnesota in 1938. He grew up as an only child in a Christian family, and he believed in Jesus and the Bible from his youth. During his time at church, he had two years of intensive Bible training that gave him a firm foundation of what the Bible teaches. Dr. Menton also loved the hymns they sang at his church. As he grew older, he served as a church elder, Sunday school teacher, and a president of the congregation.

As a young boy, Dr. Menton had a strong interest in all kinds of science. He even changed a room in the family basement into a chemistry laboratory. For birthdays and Christmas, he loved getting science items such as a chemistry kit, mineralogy collection, microscope, telescope, and binoculars.

Dr. Menton studied chemistry and biology at Minnesota State University, graduating with a bachelor of science in 1959. After a six-month tour of active duty in the Army Reserves, he worked for two years as a research laboratory technician at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He left there to pursue a PhD from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. In 1966, he earned his PhD after completing his research thesis on how few essential fatty acids affect skin.

After he finished school, Dr. Menton accepted a job teaching in the department of anatomy at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. While there, he did more research, including research on a sea creature called the sea cucumber, helped write chapters in five editions of Stedman’s Medical Dictionary, and taught classes on anatomy and histology (the microscopic structure of tissues). His work as a teacher and researcher won several awards, including Professor of the Year twice.

After retiring in 2000, Dr. Menton joined Answers in Genesis. But he really didn’t retire then. He spent over 20 years at Answers in Genesis, teaching people of all ages about science and the truth of God’s Word. He loved doing hands-on workshops to show people some of the incredible things God has made. He spoke in many countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Trinidad, Peru, and Turkey.

Fast Facts about Dr. Menton

• Dr. Menton had two daughters and three grandchildren.
• Dr. Menton’s many hobbies included microscopy, photography, listening to jazz and classical music, high-end audio gear, illusions and sleight of hand, theology, and vinyl records.
• Dr. Menton was a drummer in a musicians’ union, playing jazz and dance music semi-professionally.
• Dr. Menton owned trap drums he bought in 1951—one of only 100 that were ever made of a certain kind of high-fidelity audio set.