My father has died
It happened this past Tuesday, or if we're talking about brain function, some time between Saturday and Tuesday. Saturday he threw up his supper and aspirated it, so he was in the hospital ever after. The ER doctor felt that he just had too much fluid and that dialysis would fix it, but in the end his blood pressure was too low for further dialysis, so we knew he was near the end.
Malcolm U. Dantzler, M.D., a lifelong Democrat, spent his career in public health working for the South Carolina State Board of Health/ Department of Health and Environmental Control for upwards of 50 years. Our love and respect for him is more or less infinite. I wish I could just tell you stories. Suffice it to say that he was a titan. The number of times we heard, "Your dad is the smartest man I ever met" was uncounted, but we never got tired of hearing it.
He wanted to make it to 100, but made it almost to 94. Three and a half years ago he nearly died after surgery for a subdural hematoma, but he came all the way back, walking with a cane or a walker. He had been diabetic for decades, but never even needed insulin to that point, but was on dialysis for the rest of his life. But he put up with the discomfort for love of life and for his sweetheart, Margaret, with whom he shared the last 12 years of his life after my mother died. (Yes, Margaret was a younger woman-- two weeks younger!)
He was lucid nearly to the end, so we got to say goodbye properly, and to hear it back from him, too. This was a mercy and a blessing.
So an awesome man has left the world, and left it poorer for his absence. Kindly raise a toast. (If it's something like "Dang! 94!", that's fine, too.
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Sending my condolences. 
Your tribute to him here is beautiful.
i am so sorry for your loss.
to your father
to your awesome father and your wonderful tribute.
To your father and you
Your dad sounds like a wonderful and courageous man.
Sorry for your loss, Bossy Monkey.
Your father was a remarkable man, and this shines through your post.
I'm so glad you got to say goodbye properly and to hear it back from him. That is wonderful!
Dang! 94?
And a hug for you!
Your love comes shining through in your tribute. I suspect he was equally proud of you.
May your wonderful memories comfort you, Bossy Monkey. If you ever feel like sharing them, we will be here waiting.
RIP Dr. Dantzler.
i am sorry for your loss
a toast is offered up for both him and you
Dang! 04!
but I'm sure he would have been great at that, too!
Tipping a glass to your father: 
To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.
Lucid at the end. That's wonderful.
...not fewer. May he rest in loving peace as I wish peace to you and your family at this difficult time.
Congratulations for having such happy memories!
May he rest in peace.
A life well lived. Sending love and thoughts of comfort your way. 
Of my best to you and yours. 
