Howard Dentler graduated from Hinsdale High School in 1940 and, after serving in the Army Air Corps during World War 11, graduated from Stetson University in 1948. After spending the next five years in the corporate world, he enrolled in Lexington Theological Seminary where he earned his Master of Divinity degree. He was ordained a minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and served as pastor of Central Christian Church, Jacksonville, Florida.

Rev. Dentler was deeply committed to the Civil Rights movement and helped to integrate lunch counters at Woolworth's in Jacksonville and interceded on behalf of the black population when they protested for their rights. He was honored for his commitment and leadership by Roy Wilkins, President of the NAACP. His involvement in the Civil Rights movement led to associations with Dr. Martin Luther King and Bishop Desmond Tutu and to appointments by Presidents Lyndon Johnson and Jimmy Carter to serve on advisory councils.

In 1967, Rev. Dentler was honored by conferment of an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity for his work with the Christian Church. Until his retirement he administered a disaster relief fund and a refugee resettlement fund through the National Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches. Carrying out his church duties has taken him to four continents and thirty-four countries.

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