Necrology
Leland “Lee” Eaton Ames '60
Feb. 21, 2021
Over the course of his life, Leland “Lee” Eaton Ames ’60, who held a doctorate in epidemiology, became ever more interested in learning.
“The quest for knowledge and spirituality started at Hamilton and has grown ever since then,” Ames observed in his 40th reunion yearbook.
Ames, of Sparrowbush, N.Y., died on Feb, 10, 2021. He was born in Buffalo, N.Y., the son of Wendell and Lillian Jennings Ames.
At Hamilton, he joined Gryphon and enjoyed singing and touring with the College Choir, led by John Baldwin. His dearest College memories also included fraternity life, houseparties, and histology lab. “I think Hamilton’s continuing impact is the imbuing of the yearning to know stuff, from trivia to ‘meaningful’ knowledge, merely for the sake of knowing it,” he wrote.
After he graduated from Hamilton, Ames was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving in Vietnam in the 10th Special Forces Division. After his service, he earned his doctorate at Buffalo State University.
For much of his career and until his retirement, he worked as an information technologist at the New York State Department of Health in Syracuse, N.Y., according to his published obituary.
Ames was an active member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a fan of Indy car racing and in his leisure time enjoyed photography, church activities, attending concerts, and traveling, including visits to relatives in Toledo, Ohio, and Ontario, Canada.
Survivors include his wife, Ellen Rogers Ames, two stepdaughters, and step-grandchildren, among others.
