Jack Tanzman, 83, a longtime Evanston resident and social worker, died Wednesday while on vacation in Phoenix. A counselor of individuals and families for 60 years, Mr. Tanzman was instrumental in advancing treatment methods and developing educational and licensing standards in clinical social work. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and educated at the City College of New York and the University of Buffalo. In World War II, he served in the American Red Cross as a psychiatric social worker at Great Lakes Naval Hospital. After the war, he settled in Chicago and worked as a social work student supervisor at the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration. By 1956, Mr. Tanzman established a private clinical social work practice, which he continued until his death. Mr. Tanzman and his wife, Mary, also a social worker, developed a method for helping couples manage conflict. His wife said one of his proudest moments came when he was 75 and he passed a newly required comprehensive social work examination after not having taken a test for more than 50 years. Besides his wife, Mr. Tanzman is survived by a daughter, Elaine Tanzman; a son, Edward Tanzman; and two grandchildren. Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. Monday in Weinstein Brothers Memorial Chapel, 111 Skokie Blvd., Wilmette.
