BlackboardElvin Joseph Dantin (E.J.) SR., P.E., Ph.D, Founding Dean of the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Dr. Elvin Joseph Dantin, Sr., P.E., Ph.D., was born January 13, 1927, in Golden Meadow, Louisiana. He graduated from Golden Meadow High School in 1943 and attended LSU for 1 year and then served in World War II with the 1581 Engineering Battalion on Attu in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska (1945-1947).
He returned to LSU where he received his B.S. (1949) and M.S. Degree (1952) in Civil Engineering, and received his PhD degree from Stanford University in 1960 at Palo Alto, California in structural and environmental engineering with a minor in hydraulic engineering. He was recipient of the National Science Foundation Fellowship and also the Edward Jones, Jr. Memorial Scholarship from Stanford University. E.J. returned to LSU and after 34 years he retired as Professor of Civil Engineering Emeritus of LSU, Founding Director of LSU Division of Engineering Research and Louisiana Water Resources Research Institute and EPA's Center of Excellence of Hazardous Waste Research.
In 1984, E.J. was the Founding Dean of the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and retired from FAMU-FSU in 1987. He then returned to FAMU-FSU in 1990 as Professor and Dean Emeritus for the Department of Civil Engineering, was Interim Department Chair, Director of Radon research and retired in 1994.
E.J. was a Founding Member of St. Aloysius Church and a Charter Member of the Parrish Council where he served as President. He was a 3rd and 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus for 58 years. He was a Charter Member of Council and served as Grand Knight.
E.J. Dantin married Ruth Rebstock Dantin on June 2, 1947 and is survived by 4 sons, Elvin J. Dantin, Jr. (daughter in-law, Joan), Chris A. Dantin (Cleme), Mark S. Dantin (Linda), J. Keith Dantin (Debbie), and daughter Ruth Elizabeth Donner (Dr. Tom Donner). Elvin and Ruth have 13 grandchildren, Derek (Christian), Damon, Dirk (Tisbee), Christopher (Christy), Brian (Rebekah), Chase (Katherine), Beau (Sara), Shane, Luke, Austin, Blake, Alexandra, Jack; and 6 great grandchildren - Duke, Andrew, Charlie, William, Carter and Reese.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Ludovic and Oscalie, sister Adella Oglesby and brother Lytton Dantin. He is also survived by siblings Lee Roy, L. J., Terry, Rosiana Lee and Sophie Langlinais.
Visitation will be on Saturday, December 26 from 9:00-10:45 a.m., rosary from 10:45-11 a.m. and the funeral mass at 11 a.m. held at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 2021 Stuart Ave., Baton Rouge, LA 70808. Rabenhorst Funeral Home of Baton Rouge (225-272- 9950) will be handling arrangements. His final resting place is at Greenoaks Memorial Park in Baton Rouge, LA. The family asked that donations be sent to St. Aloysius Catholic Church at address above.
Published in the Tallahassee Democrat on December 24, 2009
