Gift of Margaret V. Tedone, 2013.163.76, Connecticut Museum of Culture and History, In Copyrigh…

Lester Hankin

1926 - 2017

BiographyDr. Lester Hankin PhD, age 91, of Hamden, CT passed away peacefully at Whitney Center on 6/18/17. He was born in February, 1926, the youngest of four children to Max and Rose (Levin) Hankin. He was preceded in death by a brother, Herman Hankin, Norwich, a sister Annette Schadick, Manchester, NH, a sister Celia "Pippy" Hochman, Norwich. His wife of 62 years, Selma "Dolly" Abrams, New London, passed away in 2011. His son Michael Hankin, Meriden passed away in 2016. He is survived by 2 children; Carol Batchman, Weymouth, MA and Ellen Ritt (Aaron Johnson) Denver CO; 3 grandchildren, Rebecca Ross, Woonsocket, RI, Sarah Ross Gifford (Jake), Martha's Vineyard and Jonathan Ross, Weymouth, MA and a great grandson Dante Patino. He is also survived by niece Eila Hankin Cohen, Waterford CT, and nephews Howard Hankin, Queens, NY and Jeffery Hochman, Norwich, CT. Lester worked for 38 years at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. There, among other things, he conducted research on methods of food analysis, studies on psychotropic bacteria in foods, studies on microbial nutrition and metabolism and developed a new test for lead poisoning in children. As Head of the Department of Analytical Chemistry, he supervised scientists and technicians who analyzed foods, feeds, and fertilizers for adulterants and compliance with state regulations and U.S. Pure Food and Drug Laws, as well as conducting original research. He has published in scientific journals and station bulletins over 250 original research papers and chapters in reference books. He was active in many civic organizations. For 17 years serving on the Hamden Inlands-Wetlands Commission (12 years as chairman), 3 years on the Hamden Retirement Commissions, 9 years on the Hamden Library Board (7 as chairman), on the Board of Directors of the Greater New Haven United Way, Past President of the Greater New Haven ARC, Past President of the Connecticut ARC, past vice president of the Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR) and Board of the Charlton Hill Condo Association. A graveside service will be held on Sunday June 25 at 10:30 am Mishkhan Israel Cemetery 701 Whalley Ave, New Haven, CT. A memorial service will be held at 11:30 am Sunday June 25 at Whitney Center north building in the 6th floor common area. Memorial contributions may be made in Lester's memory to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research or to a charity of your choice. Funeral Arrangements in care of Robert E. Shure Funeral Home, New Haven.

--Obituary, "Lester Hankin," https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/nhregister/name/lester-hankin-obituary?id=14081480, accessed 1/6/2026

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