Necrology

Herbert Albin Leonhardt '51

Jan. 30, 1926-Nov. 7, 2007

Herbert Albin Leonhardt ’51, an orthopaedic surgeon who had long practiced in New Jersey, was born on January 30, 1926, in Brooklyn, NY. A son of Herbert H., a physician, and Anna Vonderschmidt Leonhardt, he entered the U.S. Navy following his graduation in 1943 from Adelphia Academy and served for four years through the end of World War II. Discharged as an ensign in 1947, he entered Hamilton from Lynbrook, NY, in the spring of 1948, intending to prepare for a future career in medicine. His brother Charles was already on the Hill as a premedical student.

Described by The Hamiltonian as “able and conscientious,” and “a good-natured, congenial skipper [who] helped steer the Squires Club to the lee-side,” Al Leonhardt was married on June 17, 1950, to Arlene Bassler in Baldwin, NY. During his senior year, the couple set up housekeeping in a North Village apartment where, as he later recalled, “the walls were so thin that if you drove a nail in the wall to hang up a picture, your neighbor could also hang one on the other end of the nail.”

Al Leonhardt went on to the University of Buffalo School of Medicine following his graduation in 1951. Awarded him M.D. degree in 1955, he served his residency at Overlook Hospital in Summit, NJ, after an internship at Erie County Hospital in Buffalo. In 1957, he established his general practice in Florham Park, NJ, and maintained it until 1965, when he became the full-time director of the emergency room at Overlook. Having decided to specialize in orthopaedics, he left the hospital in 1969 for a four-year residency in that field at Jersey City Medical Center.

In 1973, Dr. Leonhardt set up his practice in Westfield, NJ, in association with the Westfield Orthopaedic Group. A board-certified orthopaedic surgeon, he continued to practice in the Westfield-Summit area while residing in Florham Park until 1994, when he retired to rural life in Honesdale, located in northeast Pennsylvania.

The proud possessor of a private pilot’s license who liked to take to the skies in his earlier years, Al Leonhardt found more time in retirement for such favorite pastimes as fishing, golf, bowling, and bridge. As an old Navy man, he also enjoyed working with ship models.

H. Albin Leonhardt died at his home in Honesdale on November 7, 2007. In addition to his wife of 57 years, he is survived by a son, Kent A. Leonhardt; three daughters, Kim Ann Thomlinson, Kristin Grennan, and Karin Nucci; seven grandchildren and a great-grandchild; and his brother, Charles G. Leonhardt ’48.

Necrology Home