Erbert William "Danny" D'Anton, D.D.S., professor emeritus at The
University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston, died in his
San Marcos home Saturday, Jan. 6. He was 86 years old.
Dr. D’Anton was born Aug. 12, 1920 to Mary Antoinette
and William Vitale in Newark, New Jersey. In 1941 he graduated
from Johns Hopkins University and went on to attend St.
Louis University Dental School. However, his dental education
was interrupted from 1943-45 by his service in the U.S.
Army infantry during World War II.
After the war he returned to dental school and graduated
in 1946. Two years later, Dr. D’Anton joined the
faculty at The University of Texas Dental Branch
at Houston in the department of Oral Biomaterials, where
he became chairman in 1956. He served in this position
until he retired in 1988, when he then was named professor
emeritus.
Dr. D’Anton held many prestigious appointments and
contributed greatly to dental education and dentistry throughout
his career. He was a Fellow of the American and International
Colleges of Dentists as well as a life member of the Greater
Houston Dental Society and the Texas and American Dental
Associations.
Dr. D’Anton also authored the book Memories: A
History of the University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston. (Copyright
1991, UTDB).
He represented the Dental Branch as a delegate to the
Council of Faculties of the American Association of Dental
Schools from 1961-68 and served as the vice president of
the supreme chapter of Omicron Kappa Upsilon from 1968-69.
In addition, he was president of the UT Houston Retiree
Organization during its infancy.
Due to his commitment and dedication to the Dental Branch
D’Anton was awarded honorary membership in the UTDB
Alumni Association in 1990. His alma mater, St. Louis University,
followed with honors and presented him with the dental
school’s alumni merit award in 1996.
Dr. D’Anton enjoyed teaching and interacting with
his students, who remained close to his heart after his
retirement.
Mara Crow, a granddaughter of Dr. D’Anton’s,
is a graduate of the School of Dental Hygiene and is currently
in the Dental Hygiene Degree completion program.
The following words were taken from Dr. D’Anton’s
obituary:
“Danny was a kind, generous, and thoughtful
man who touched the lives of many people. He was very
devoted to his family. He had a talent for lifting the
spirits of others. Through his compassion and his words
of wisdom he provided guidance to many family members
and friends.”
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made
to the Dental Branch Student Scholarship Endowment:
University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston, 6516
M.D. Anderson Blvd., Suite 147, Houston, Texas 77030-3402
or to
VistaCare Hospice, 1911 Corporate Drive, #104, San Marcos,
Texas 78666. You may also donate to a charity of your
choice.
Memorial services will be held 2 p.m., Saturday,
Jan. 13 at Pennington Funeral Home, 323 North
Comanche, San Marcos, Texas 78667. To
view Dr. D'Anton's complete obituary, see today's issue
of the Houston Chronicle.
