David Manos, 61, of Fort Wayne, passed away on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. He was born in Sault St. Marie, MI to Susan (Hatch) Manos and the late Constantine Manos on June 11, 1965. He graduated from Northrop High School in 1982. David was an avid Michigan Wolverines and Detroit Lions fan. David was the kitchen manager at Tower Bar and Grill for over 25 years. He was a master of his craft who understood that food is ultimately about community, family, and comfort. After stepping away from the fine-dining demands of the Oyster Bar in 2001 to spend more time at home with his young son, David brought his immense talent to Tower Bar, transforming a local neighborhood spot into an iconic culinary staple.

Driven by his passion and hands-on creativity, David completely revolutionized the kitchen by replacing frozen fare with fresh, scratch-made ingredients, expanding the menu, and introducing signature salads, daily comfort food specials, and legendary steak nights. Under his culinary leadership, Tower Bar’s wing production skyrocketed, while his crew’s delicious aromas became a cherished tradition in the end zone pavilion at University of Saint Francis football games.

Whether tweaking a new recipe inspired by food shows, warming up local construction crews with a hot plate of meatloaf, or greeting familiar faces at the bar, David put his whole heart into feeding the Fort Wayne community. He will be remembered not only as a visionary chef who built a legendary food reputation from the ground up, but as a dedicated father, a generous friend, and the warm spirit behind so many gathered around the table.

David is survived by his son, Joshua Manos; mother, Susan Manos; brothers, Geoff Manos and Steven Manos; and a host of relatives and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cancer Services of NE Indiana.