Elvin Joseph Dantin

Dr. Elvin Joseph Dantin Sr., P.E., Ph.D., was born Jan. 13, 1927, in Golden Meadow. He graduated from Golden Meadow High School in 1943 and attended LSU for a year, then served in World War II with the 1581st Engineering Battalion on Attu in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska, from 1945-1947. He returned to LSU where he received a bachelor's degree in 1949 and a master's degree in civil engineering in 1952. He then received his Ph.D. from Stanford University in 1960 at Palo Alto, Calif., in structural and environmental engineering with a minor in hydraulic engineering. He was a 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 chairman, director of radon research and retired in 1994. E.J. was a founding member of St. Aloysius Church and a charter member of the parish council, where he served as president. He was a Third and Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus for 58 years. He was a charter member of the council and served as grand knight. E.J. Dantin married Ruth Rebstock Dantin on June 2, 1947, and is survived by four sons and daughters-in-law, Elvin J. Jr. and Joan Dantin, Chris A. and Cleme Dantin, Mark S. and Linda Dantin, J. Keith and Debbie Dantin; and daughter, Ruth Elizabeth Donner and husband Dr. Tom Donner. Elvin and Ruth have 13 grandchildren, Derek and wife Christian, Damon, Dirk and wife Tisbee, Christopher and Christy, Brian and Rebekah, Chase and wife Katherine, Beau and wife Sara, Shane, Luke, Austin, Blake, Alexandra, Jack; and 6 great-grandchildren, Duke, Andrew, Charlie, William, Carter and Reese. He was 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 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 2021 Stuart Ave., on Saturday, Dec. 26, from 9 a.m. until a recitation of the rosary at 10:45 a.m. The funeral Mass begins at 11 a.m. His final resting place will be Greenoaks Memorial Park in Baton Rouge. The family asked that donations be sent to St. Aloysius Catholic Church at address above.