Dr. Malcolm U Dantzler

COLUMBIA - Services for Malcolm U. Dantzler, M.D., 93, will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, January 11, 2015 at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel. The family will receive friends from 4-6 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home and 1-2 p.m. Sunday prior to the service. Interment will follow in Elmwood Cemetery and Gardens. Dr. Dantzler passed away Tuesday, January 6, 2015. Born in Woodford, SC, he was the son of the late William Zimmerman Dantzler and Ella Staley Dantzler. He graduated first in his class both from North High School and from the University of South Carolina. He then enlisted in the Army Air Corps during WWII, serving with distinction as a cryptographer. He graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina in 1950, again first in his class, and completed his internship in Columbia. He served as the health officer for Dillon, Georgetown and Marion Counties. In 1956-57, he obtained his Master of Public Health degree from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. In 1957, he became the Assistant Director for the Charleston County Health Department and the Director in 1961. In 1965 he was appointed Assistant State Heath Officer, second highest position in the then State Board of Health. From 1973-1988 he served as Deputy Commissioner of the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and also served as its Interim Commissioner. All told, Dr. Dantzler worked for DHEC and its predecessor, the State Board of Health, from 1941-1991, continuing as a consultant until 1995 and as a volunteer for another decade. During his long and immensely productive career, he helped establish many public health care programs, including one to improve the health of migrant farm workers, one for rehabilitation of stroke victims, as well as air pollution control and mosquito abatement programs. He started many clinics, including one for premature babies. After DHEC, he worked with Columbia Physical Medicine. He was a member of the Rotary Club. He was an active member of many medical and public health organizations, serving in leadership roles, including as President of the SC Public Health Association. Dr. Dantzler received the Order of the Palmetto in 1991. He and his beloved Margaret were stalwarts at the Lourie Center in Columbia, where they were known to cut a mean rug. Surviving are his sweetheart, Ildreda Margaret G. Bass; his children, Anne E. Dantzler, M.D. of Chestnut Hill, MA, Malcolm U. Dantzler, Jr. of Somerville, MA, William Z. Dantzler of Columbia, Frank J. Dantzler of Overland Park, KS and John M. Dantzler of Columbia; grandson, James D. Gerber (Maria Cristina) of Boston, MA; and a great-granddaughter, Mia Cristina Gerber. He was predeceased by his wife, Anne Salmonsen Dantzler; sisters, Eddie Georgia Howe, Clara Black and Frances Jeffcoat. Memorials may be made to the National Kidney Foundation.