Muskingum University Trustee Emeritus William T. (Bill) Dentzer, Jr. ‘51 passed away on January 25, 2021 at the age of 91.

Bill served the University as an active Trustee for 44 years, from 1972 until becoming Trustee Emeritus in 2016. He led the Finance Committee during many of his years of service, guiding Muskingum through the rapidly evolving economic landscape of higher education.

Nationally-recognized for his financial acumen, Bill was the founding Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Depository Trust Company, the world’s largest securities depository, from 1972 until his retirement in 1994. He previously served as New York State Superintendent of Banks, Executive Director of the New York State Council of Economic Advisors, federal Deputy Ambassador to the Organization of American States, and in multiple domestic and international posts with the federal Agency for International Development (AID).

Bill earned his Muskingum Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science cum laude with minors in Economics and Speech. He served as Student Government President and Class President, and was a member of the Debate and Football teams. He was honored by the University with a Doctor of Humane Letters degree (2012), an alumni Distinguished Service Award (1995), and a President’s Medal (2016).

He is survived by his wife of 68 years Celia Hill Dentzer ’52, who also holds a Muskingum Doctor of Humane Letters degree, and by their children James Hill Dentzer, Susan Dentzer Alston, Ardith Campbell Dentzer, William Thompson Dentzer III, and Emily Parks Dentzer.

Bill and Celia together chose the words which are engraved on the cornerstone of Muskingum’s Walter K. Chess Center: “test everything; hold fast that which is good” (I Thessalonians).

Bill’s leadership, stewardship, and service to Muskingum has shaped the University for generations to come. He will be deeply missed.