Dr. Leander T. Ellis, 81

Dr. Leander T. Ellis, 81, of Swarthmore, a psychiatrist in Wynnefield since 1960, died of complications from a stroke Wednesday, June 23, at Crozer-Chester Medical Center.

Born in Summerland, Miss., he graduated from Oak Park High School in Laurel, Miss., in 1946. He earned a bachelor's degree at what is now Hampton University in 1950, and graduated from what is now Howard University College of Medicine in 1954.

After medical training at Great Lakes Naval Hospital, he served in the Navy from 1954 to 1957.

Dr. Ellis completed his residency at the former Philadelphia General Hospital and served as a staff psychiatrist there from 1960 to 1967. He was a lecturer in school psychology at Temple University in 1973.

Since 1960, Dr. Ellis maintained an office near Belmont and City Avenues in Philadelphia.

His daughter, Laura Hensel, said Dr. Ellis was an attending psychiatrist at the Belmont Center for Comprehensive Treatment from 1962 to 2004, the former Haverford State Hospital from 1967 to 1971, the Youth Development Center at Cornwells Heights from 1971 to 1977, and the Woodhaven Center from 1975 to 1977.

Dr. Ellis was a consultant to the School District of Philadelphia from 1968 to 1976, the Delaware County Intermediate Unit from 1971 to 1977, the Sleighton School in Glen Mills from 1981 to 1989, and the Children of the Light Mission in the Parkside neighborhood from 1996 to 2007.

He held a diplomate certificate from the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology, and was a member of the American Medical Association and its local and state arms.

Besides his daughter, Dr. Ellis is survived by sons Leonard, Lawrence, and Lowell; a brother; two sisters; and five grandchildren. His wife, Gettie, died in 2001.

A memorial was set for 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 29, at Swarthmore Presbyterian Church, 727 Harvard Ave., Swarthmore. Burial will be private.