Contributions to the tribute of William T. Dentzer, Jr.

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William T. Dentzer, Jr.

1929 - 2021

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Susan Chapin Lenane lit a candle

Friday, February 26, 2021

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Bill was so kind to my Mom (Barbara Chapin) during her time at the Osborn and I will never forget witnessing his incredibly sensitive gesture, asking in such a kind way if she was okay, a few days before she died. I could tell in that moment that he was a good and very kind man. May his memory be a blessing to all that loved him.

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David W Brown posted a condolence

Saturday, February 13, 2021

I'm thinking of the uplifting associations that my wife and I had with Bill and Celia Dentzer in Peru, 1965-67. Bill headed USAID there, and I was chief of an advisory team from Iowa universities related to agrarian reform and economic policies. Bill did much to relate the constructive spirit of the Alliance for Progress to Peruvian human needs and potentials. This was amid Peruvian political wobbles, American as well as Peruvian bureaucratic constraints, and one of the biggest earthquakes there ever. Celia did a lot to help our team-member wives have fulfilling roles there too. Let's hope that our emerging generations can recapture that spirit! David W Brown, retired agri-rural economics professor and program leader, Middletown RI

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Sandra Stern posted a condolence

Sunday, February 7, 2021

My memory:- Bill started me on my career. It was 1971. I was a 1962 female Harvard Law Graduate with two children. No one was hiring women lawyers at that time. Fortunately, Bill Dentzer gave me a chance, and hired me when he was running the Banking Department. It was a serious risk, as I was then studying for the demanding New York bar exam, and, had I failed it, he would have been obligated to terminate me. But everything turned out just fine. I worked, among other things, on usury issues. Shortly after starting Depository Trust Company,he hired me again. These positions were the start of the challenging and rewarding career in which I am still engaged. I wish I had run into him in person, and had the opportunity to thank him properly. Sandra Stern (New York City)

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David Birch posted a condolence

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Dear Dentzer Family, I had the privilege to serve with Bill on the Larchmont Library Board. It was a great pleasure and privilege to serve with Bill. His advice was always sage and to the point. His warmth towards and respect for everyone was always evident, and, I think, acknowledged and much appreciated by all. I send my sincere condolences to his family. David Birch

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Lou Kastelic posted a condolence

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Bill and I lead our respective state banking departments at the same time. I was superintendent in Ohio. Because we were very much of the same mind about banking we talked often, kicking around ideas. I learned a lot from this very fine man.

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Andy McCormick posted a condolence

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Condolences to all the Dentzers. Bill was a great man, a great American. Always kind, considerate, hard working, intellectual and progressive. I remember him in an old tee shirt and khakis clipping roses in oppressive summer heat while the rest of us were in the pool. He is missed. Andy McCormick

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Anthony Huston uploaded photo(s)

Monday, February 1, 2021

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This is a quick pick we took sharing a laugh or two on my last visit to the states before B&C left for the Oz. My sincere condolences to all my Dentzer family friends, and I am thinking of you all in this very difficult time.

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David Falk posted a condolence

Sunday, January 31, 2021

To the family of Bill Dentzer --I was so sorry to read about Bill's passing. I was the AID Regional Legal Adviser in Lima, Peru (1967-1969), where Bill was my boss as USAID Director. And what a wonderful boss! You could count on Bill to render sound advice and to back you up when problems arose. But my most memorable memory was towards the very end of Bill's Directorship in Peru. Responding by cable to an inquiry from a US House of Representatives Oversight Committee that wanted to know what policies we had instituted to assure that loans from the government agricultural loan agency that AID was funding went only to small farmers, Bill wrote that we made certain that the door frames that farmers had to pass through to get to the loan office were no higher than 4 feet, 10 inches, and any farmer who stooped to enter was then disqualified. And as Bill's Legal Adviser, I signed off on the cable. Needless to say, this created an uproar over at the US Embassy and the traditional striped-pants US Ambassador -- but so what? David Falk, Washington, DC dfalk@umd.edu

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Susan Dentzer Posted Jan 31, 2021 at 3:07 PM

David, thank you so much for this reminiscence -- you have given us a wonderful memory and laughter at a time when we really need it. Dad's terrific sense of humor and his lack of tolerance for imbecility both come through in the anecdote that you recounted. Thank you so much! Kindest regards, Susan Dentzer and family

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Bill Dentzer Posted Feb 1, 2021 at 12:32 PM

I echo Susan's comment on this, David. Many, many thanks for sharing this story. Bill Dentzer (III)

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Jim Dentzer Posted Feb 3, 2021 at 6:34 PM

David, I also echo my siblings' comments on your post. I shared it with two of my contemporaries from our days in Lima, Larry Stedman (son of Bill Stedman) and Bill Rodgers (son of Bill Rodgers). Each enjoyed it tremendously. It was noted that because of his dual roles in Lima, Bill Stedman might have been torn between siding with the USAID Mission or the staid Embassy staff. I like to believe he would come down on the AID side, it fit his personality better. Many thanks! Best, Jim Dentzer

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Daniel A Sharp posted a condolence

Sunday, January 31, 2021

Bill was a gracious and generous friend and adviser who helped me on several public policy projects while I was at the Adlai Stevenson Institute of the University of. Chicago, and later while I was CEO of The American Assembly. My warmest best wishes and deep condolences to Susan, who later was also helpful, and to his entire family. A wonderful man, he will be very much missed.

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Susan Dentzer Posted Jan 31, 2021 at 3:10 PM

Thank you so much Daniel for your condolences and kind words. My father was most happy to have had a chance to work with you and valued your friendship. We miss him enormously. Thank you again for writing! warm regards, Susan Dentzer and family

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Sonya Bertini posted a condolence

Sunday, January 31, 2021

I was friends with Ardith, Mr. Dentzer’s remarkable middle child, meeting her in Madrid where we both studied for a semester. She spoke of her father with such respect, admiration and awe. Upon reading this wonderfully written obituary I can understand why. Ardith will be reunited with her loving father. My condolences to the Dentzer family. You have so many glorious memories to comfort you.

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Susan Dentzer Posted Jan 31, 2021 at 3:13 PM

Dear Sonya, thank you so much for writing and for your condolences. Ardith so enjoyed knowing you and would greatly have appreciated hearing from you about our Dad. He was a wonderful man and it gives us great joy to think that he and Ardith are now reunited for eternity. Thank you again! Warm regards, Susan Dentzer and family

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Caroline Rodi lit a candle

Saturday, January 30, 2021

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Susan Dentzer lit a candle

Friday, January 29, 2021

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Jim Jardine posted a condolence

Friday, January 29, 2021

To the family of Bill Dentzer I want to extend my condolences to you in the loss of you father, grandfather, great grandfather. We will be praying for comfort in your time of loss. Our father, John W Jardine, Jr Bill's cousin,went to Muskingum College and played football with Bill. My dad told us of the times when Bill was working for the CIA and he would call my dad and say, "John can you come and pick me up at the airport? I can't tell you where I have been or what I was doing." Dad would say, "sure" and would go get him. That's what family does. I also remember one summer when your family came to visit us in Dover Delaware on your way to the beach. As I remember it, we had a fun day together. It is clear from the pictures and the obituary of Bill's love for God, your mom, his family, and his country. We just lost our dad on January 14th so we feel for your family as you cherish the memories of him until we will see them and one another in heaven soon. All our love Jim Jardine

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Susan Dentzer Posted Jan 31, 2021 at 3:19 PM

Dear Jim, thank you so much for writing, and in turn all of us send our most heartfelt condolences to you on your father's death as well. My Dad held yours in such high regard as his elder cousin and followed him to Muskingum as a result. And we well recall visiting in Dover all those years ago, and how delightful it was to see your father and mine reminiscing about the past; your grandmother Isobel, and my own grandmother, Gertrude. Love and condolences to your family -- Susan Dentzer

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