Milton S. Gelman; TV Scriptwriter

Milton S. Gelman, whose hundreds of television writing credits began in the early years of that medium and extended through such modern successes as “Quincy,” died of heart disease Wednesday in a Sherman Oaks hospital.

He was 70 and had undergone heart surgery several years ago, according to his daughter, Maggi.

A teacher of writing at both UCLA and Loyola Marymount University, he began as a radio writer in New York and moved to TV, where as early as 1956 he was creating stories for “Robert Montgomery Presents.”

He came to Los Angeles and over the next 25 years wrote for such series as “Bonanza,” “Banyon,” “The High Chaparral,” “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.,” “Tales of Wells Fargo,” “Riverboat,” “Perry Mason,” “Mr. Novak,” “Schlitz Playhouse of Stars” and dozens more.

He was honored for his writing by groups as diverse as the Mystery Writers of America and the American Assn. of Retired Persons. In the 1970s, he twice served as chairman of the Los Angeles County Obscenity and Pornography Commission.

Memorial services were held Sunday at Loyola Marymount.

In addition to his daughter, he is survived by his wife, Gloria, and a sister.

A writing scholarship in his name has been established at the university, 7101 W. 80th St., Los Angeles 90045, to which contributions may be made.