Ian Leet

Leet, Ian
ALBANY - Ian David Leet, 83, died October 4, 2025, at AMC Hospital after a sudden illness. He lived a life of curiosity, kindness, and love. He cherished his wife of 58 years, Edith. He adored his children, Brian and Becca, and took great pride in their many accomplishments.
He loved spending time with his extended family. He was predeceased by his parents, Herbert and Mildred Colwell Leet; and brother, James, and wife, Terry. He is survived by his siblings, Julia Peckham, George, and wife, Joy, and Nancy, and husband, John O'Leary; in-laws, James and Alice Hardy; aunt, Luz Marina Colwell; nieces, Laura Ploenzke, Dina, and husband, Alfredo, Fajardo, Cindy, and husband, Kevin Wyckoff, Diane, and husband, Carl Patzer, Jennifer, and husband, Joe Powell, Martha Miller, Jane Leet, and Shannon Planck; nephews, Mitchel, and wife, Cameron, and Brendan, and wife, Megan; and many cousins, grandnieces, and grandnephews. Each week he hosted a "family confab" on Zoom for all who wanted to keep in touch.
Born in Syracuse, N.Y., on April 13, 1942, he grew up in Endicott and Corning. He earned a BA degree at the University at Albany, where he studied English, music, and film. He especially enjoyed creating music scores for silent movies shown in class. He was a leader of the International Film Group and was on the staff of both the yearbook and the newspaper. He also volunteered at WAMC-FM, eventually chairing its Community Advisory Board.
Ian's first job with the N.Y.S. Department of Motor Vehicles became a career of more than 40 years. He traveled around the state helping staff learn new computer systems and improve services to the public. He regarded his work as a mission to make DMV experiences more user friendly.
Ian was a man of deep faith, questioning, doubting, probing, worshiping. He served First Church in Albany as Deacon, Elder, Trustee, and church historian, and was a devoted member of the choir. He represented First Church in the Albany Classis of the Reformed Church, and as a member of the Capital Region Ecumenical Organization (CREO), he worked to foster ecumenical and interfaith conversation and understanding. He cooked for the Capital Area Council of Churches (CACC) Breakfast Program, and for decades walked in the annual CROP Walk. CACC chose him and Edith to receive its Carlyle Adams Interfaith and Ecumenical Award.
A sports enthusiast, Ian's first love was ice hockey. He had season tickets to R.P.I. games and cheered on the Montreal Canadians. He played softball and enthusiastically supported Edith's team, the Aggies.
Summer found Ian at Pathfinder Lodge, a children's sleep-away camp near Cooperstown, where he taught sailing and shared his love of star gazing and star legends from around the world. At summer's end, Ian harvested produce from his community garden and baked his specialties for the Altamont Fair.
Ian willed his body to the Albany Medical Center Anatomical Gift Program, to use in educating medical students and residents.
A memorial service is planned for Saturday, April 11, 2026. The family is collecting stories and pictures for that service. Please mail them to Edith at 951 Myrtle Ave., Albany, N.Y. 12203, email to eleet100@gmail.com, or text to 518-265-2025.
Gifts in Ian's memory may be made to First Church in Albany, 110 North Pearl St., Albany, N.Y. 12207; Emmanuel Baptist Church, 275 State St., Albany, N.Y. 12210; Pathfinder Lodge c/o VPCC Ministries, P.O. Box 559, Manlius, N.Y.; WAMC-FM, 318 Central Ave., Albany, N.Y. 12206; or to a charity of your choice.