Peter Mullineaux Schantz

Peter Mullineaux Schantz, 82, of Atlanta, GA died July 26, 2022, of Alzheimer’s disease. A veterinarian and epidemiologist, Peter devoted his professional life to the control and eradication of animal-to-human (zoonotic) diseases.

Peter was born in Camden, NJ to David Hartranft Schantz and Ada Catherine Schantz on October 22, 1939. He is survived by his loving wife Mary Ellen Bartlett; daughters Aimee Marie Schantz, Seattle; Erica Schantz Wise (Scott), Tampa; son Brendan Guinan Schantz, Incline Village, NV; stepsons Cody Bartlett Smith (Claire), Zachary Adams Smith; grandchildren Tanner Wise and Piper Wise, Tampa, and Reid Smith and Maddox Smith; his brother David Schantz, Cleveland, OH, and sister Susan Schantz (Donna), Vorhees, NJ.

Peter received two degrees from the University of Pennsylvania: the AB in Anthropology in 1961 and the VMD Summa Cum Laude in Veterinary Medicine in 1965. At the University of California, Davis, under the mentorship of Calvin Schwabe, DVM, PhD, Peter was awarded a PhD in Comparative Pathology: Epidemiology, Parasitology, and Immunology.

Peter’s medical research in parasitic zoonoses took him all over the world. His research interests were the epidemiology, diagnosis, and control of helminthic disease with emphasis on helminthic zoonoses; epidemiology, diagnosis, and chemotherapy of echinococcosis, cysticercosis, toxocariasis, trichinellosis, and environmental and behavioral determinants of disease transmission.

He was an NIH Trainee in the Departmento de Parasitologia y Microbiologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico.

He served as Chief of the Laboratory of Parasitology for the Pan American Zoonoses Center/World Health Organization in Buenos Aires, Argentina from 1970-1974. He trained postdoctoral fellows throughout Latin America, and was a consultant on hydatid disease control to public health authorities in Argentina, Uruguay, Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil.

In 1974 Peter joined the elite Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) as a Commissioned Officer in the Division of Parasitic Diseases, US Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta.

In 1980 for 3 months he was a Visiting Lecturer in Medical Parasitology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University, Beirut, Lebanon.

Peter enjoyed the many years of mentorship and friendship with James H. Steele, DVM, considered one of the key “fathers of veterinary public health.” Dr. Steele was instrumental in creating the Veterinary Branch in the US Public Health Service.

Peter served the Division of Parasitic Diseases as epidemiologist until his retirement in 2008. Afterwards he served as an Adjunct Professor, Department of Epidemiology, Emory University School of Public Health.

Dr. Schantz was the recipient of numerous professional honors and awards during his career, most notable the US Public Health Service Commissioned Officer of the Year awarded in 1997 to “CAPT Peter Schantz for outstanding contributions leading to the advancement of public health and veterinary medicine.”

Peter was a member and leader in veterinary parasitology fields, publishing more than 350 scientific articles and academic book chapters. He mentored numerous students, particularly veterinary students with an interest in public health.

In his personal life, Peter was also an elite athlete. He helped his Haddonfield (NJ) Memorial High School Football team reach an undefeated season his senior year, and also played varsity football for the University of Pennsylvania Quakers, which in 1959 won its first-ever Ivy League Football Championship.

Additionally, Peter was an outstanding member of both the Haddonfield HS and UPenn Wrestling teams. He was given the Lewis J. Servais Memorial Trophy in 1961 as the Wrestler Most Valuable to the University of Pennsylvania Wrestling Team.

Also in 1961, Peter was awarded the University of Pennsylvania Annual Undergraduate Varsity Club Award to the Outstanding All-Around Athlete in the Senior Class.

He was an avid alpine skier, ran the New York City Marathon, earned his Black Belt in karate, was a pilot, loved his cats, dogs, birds, tropical fish, and his garden. He adored his grandchildren and in the last 10 years of his life, was a faithful attendee of Atlanta Friends Meeting (Quakers).

His family and friends will all miss his warm and vibrant embrace of the world.

A memorial service for Peter will be held on his 83rd birthday, October 22, 2022 at 2 pm, Atlanta Friends Meetinghouse, 701 West Howard Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Special Olympics, Atlanta Humane Society, or Georgia Audubon.