University of Montana Robert Pantzer was UM president during the tumultuous Vietnam era.

39. Robert Pantzer

By GARY JAHRIG of the Missoulian

Robert Pantzer may be remembered as the best president in the history of the University of Montana.

Other presidents, such as Oscar Craig, Charles Clapp and current UM leader George Dennison, may be viewed in history books as having played a more dominant role in building the Missoula school.

But Pantzer may well be remembered as the UM leader who exercised the best judgment in dealing with and shaping a generation of students.

Pantzer, a UM graduate with degrees in business administration and law, assumed the president's post in 1966, at a time opposition to the Vietnam War was flaring on college campuses across the country. He held the post through the end of American involvement in the war, resigning from the presidency in 1974.

During that period, some of the most tumultuous times in UM history, Pantzer earned a reputation as a cool-headed, fair administrator who handled protests, including a student takeover of the ROTC building, in a low-key manner. In defending his approach, Pantzer would say that he refused to "throw people around and knock heads."

His pacifist approach to war demonstrations made Pantzer some temporary enemies, particularly among some alumni of his own generation. But Pantzer's understanding tactics also earned him the praise of many on the UM campus.

"His relationship with students during the Vietnam era, when all the protests were going on, was effective ... because he kept the campus relatively quiet," said Dale Johnson, UM's longtime archivist and historian. "He did it not by being dictatorial, but by visiting with students. He would give them a forum before the administration. ... He had a way of relating to college-age students."

Pantzer's handling of the Vietnam War protests was particularly interesting in that he was a highly decorated veteran who served 42 months overseas during World War II.

Before becoming UM's 12th president, Pantzer, who was raised in Livingston, practiced law, taught business administration at UM and served as the school's financial vice president.

Perhaps the sentiment in Missoula concerning Pantzer can best be summed up by a Missoulian editorial published on July 1, 1974, the day after Pantzer left the president's office at UM.

"He has been a superb president – exactly the right man for this particular institution at the particular time he served. He combined elements of firmness and flexibility, honesty and accessibility, energy and leadership in a unique and effective way."

Pantzer, who lives part of the year in Missoula, was recognized two years ago by his alma mater when a new dormitory, Pantzer Hall, was opened in his honor.