Dr. Jay Logan Tontz entered peacefully into rest on November 14, 2019. He was 81 years old.

Born July 20, 1938 in Baltimore, Maryland to parents E. Logan and Charlotte (Mullikin) Tontz, Jay worked in higher education for over 45 years. He received a BA from Denison University (1960), MS from Cornell University (1962), PhD from the University of North Carolina (1966), and also held an Executive Development Certificate from Harvard University and an Honorary Professorship from the Academy of National Economy, Moscow, Russia.

Jay served as Assistant Professor of Economics, United States Air Force Academy, 1966-1969; Professor of Economics, California State University, Hayward, since 1969; Acting Associate Dean, California State University, Hayward, 1970-1972; Department Chairman Economics, California State University, Hayward, 1972-1973; Acting Dean, California State University, Hayward, 1973-1974; Dean of the School of Business and Economics, California State University, Hayward, 1974-2003 (at that time the most tenured Business Dean in the United States); Professor Emeritus California State University, Hayward, 2003 – 2008; and Professor Diablo Valley J. C. 2008- 2014.

His primary areas of research and publications were in the economics of deregulation, forecasting the economy, and managing change. He served as a consultant to the California Public Utilities Commission, the California Trucking Association, and a number of financial organizations.  In recognition of his teaching talents he is listed in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, and was nominated as the Outstanding Professor at California State University East Bay.  Jay Logan Tontz has also been listed as a noteworthy University Dean and educator by Marquis Cd.

Under his leadership California State University Hayward’s Business College gained a local, national, and international reputation for quality and innovation. They established the first nationally accredited American MBA program in Moscow in 1993, the first American Executive MBA in Vienna, Austria in 1995, an MBA program in Hong Kong in 1996, an Executive MBA in Beijing in 1999, and one in Singapore in 2000.

Jay also served as a trustee at St. Rose Hospital, Hayward, California, 1979-1985, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, 1981-1985. He was a member of the Board of the Trade Club of Hayward,  National Association of Drs. in the United States, American Economics Association, Western Economics Association, Rotary International (president Hayward chapter 1986-1987), Economic Advisory Panel for the City of Oakland, 2003 – 2005, Omicron Delta Epsilon, Delta Sigma Pi, Beta Gamma Sigma, and Phi Delta Theta-In Coelo Quies Est.

Jay was captain and played soccer for Denison U.  He coached Youth Soccer at both the recreational and competitive level for numerous years. He enjoyed giving over 30 speeches a year to various organizations on forecasting the U.S. Economy, and was a passionate reader on anything relating to economics, world affairs and history. In his spare time, he liked to garden, especially fruits and vegetables.

Dr. Tontz is survived by his wife of 37 years, Anne Tontz; children Michelle Tontz and Brandon Tontz; siblings Richard Tontz and Judi Ellzey (Lawrence Ellzey Jr.); sister in law Pam MacLeod (Angus MacLeod); and nieces and nephews Payton Tontz, Rick Tontz, Robin Camacho, Ricardo Camacho, Katie MacLeod and Rory MacLeod.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations may be made in Jay's name to the San Ramon Rotary Foundation. Please write Jay Tontz in memo. Mail to:
San Ramon Rotary
c/o Jeff Disch
738 Paradise Valley Ct N.
Danville, CA  94526-6244