Leland G. Gardner ’61

A tragic automobile accident near Columbia, Mo., took the life of Lee Gardner on Dec. 3, 1963, as he was returning to his Army base. In September of 1962, Lee graduated from the Airborne School in Fort Benning, GA, where he attended the "Jump School" course. At the time of his death, Lee was serving as a lieutenant in the 33nd Artillery of the Army at Fort Riley, Kansas, and had just returned from temporary duty in Germany. Previous to taking his commission in the Army, Lee had spent a year attending the University of Michigan Law School. Leland and his family were longtime enthusiastic boosters of that university.

After graduating from St. Albans School in Washington, D.C., Lee embarked upon a remarkable four-year career at Princeton, the enormous responsibilities and accomplishments of which he always took in his modest, unselfish stride. As president of Tiger Inn and chairman of the Interclub Committee, Lee continually acted with a combination of understanding, tact, and tenacity of purpose, which served as an inspiration to all who knew him. In addition to holding these offices, Lee was a member of the University Production Board, vice-chairman of the Keycept Program, and the originator and chairman of the Witherspoon Lectures. His overwhelming success in all of these endeavors, as well as the distinguished service on the Faculty Discipline and Creative Arts committees and the Undergraduate Council, which he served as executive secretary and vice-chairman, are a living monument to his great talents as a leader and his many generous contributions to the entire Princeton community.

Lee made a deep impression on all those with whom he came in contact. Whether it was business or pleasure, a problem or a pun, Lee was always interested – sincerely interested. He considered his relationships with others of prime importance in giving meaning to his own life. In these relationships, Lee was always frank, unselfish, and stimulating. He combined a quiet firmness of principle with an open and inquiring mind in all of his undertakings.

At his untimely death, he was survived by his fiancée and by his parents, Col. and Mrs. Leland G. Gardner Sr., his brothers Geoffrey and Henry, and his sister Nancy. Leland was buried with military honors in Arlington National Cemetery. To show its great respect for Lee, the Class of 1961 later inducted his parents as honorary members. Leland Sr. and Helen were grateful for this recognition and remained loyal to the class, contributing regularly to Annual Giving until they also died years later.