Anthony Zaitz Educational Television collection

ZAITZ, DR. Anthony "Tony," 90, died January 23, 2007. is varied career included charter professor of the English department at USF and performing as a jazz clarinet and saxophone player all his life. Zaitz came to Tampa in 1960 from the University of Massachusetts, where he helped launch the first public broadcasting station there. He served in World War II in the Air Force and participated in D-Day as a combat intelligence officer. He continued in the Air Force Reserve and retired as a lieutenant colonel. In 1962, Zaitz accepted a Fulbright associate professorship in English at the University of Damascus, Syria, for two years. He returned to USF and became active in local radio and educational television productions. In 1966, Zaitz accepted chairmanship of the Saint Leo College of Literature and Language Division. He was the first president of Saint Leo College and led the school to become Saint Leo University. He served as president until 1970 then continued as professor of literature. He formed a poetry and improvisational music group which continues. In 2005, he received the Saint Leo Alumni Association' s Honorary Alumnus Award for many years of distinguished service. Many local elected political officials began their campaigns with music by Tony Zaitz and his combo, including Mayor Pam Iorio, Congresswoman Kathy Castor, Clerk of the Circuit Court Pat Frank, former State Commissioner of Education and USF president Betty Castor, former State Sen. Helen Gordon Davis, former County Commissioner Fran Davin, Bill McBride and others. Zaitz is survived by children, Lawrence Zaitz, Susan Chandler, Richard Zaitz and Cynthia Zaitz. He also leaves behind his partner of six years, Lula Dovi.

Note written by Tampa Bay Times (obituary)