Leland Eugene Hall

Leland Hall (aka Lee, Mr. Baseball, Doc) born on July 28, 1935, passed away on June 9, 2023 in Lansing, MI. He was 87 years old and taken off the field by cardiac arrest. He was born in Highland Park, Michigan, to Leland G. Hall and Ethel R. Hall (nee Leslie). His father passed away when he was an infant. His mother, with the help of both families raised him.

He joined the Army in 1953, served honorably in Korea, and was discharged in 1955. After discharge, he discovered his love of learning. He completed his BA in 1960 and MA in 1962 at Western Michigan University (Go Broncos). He was awarded his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Illinois in 1969 (Go Illini). He used his degrees well, first as an assistant professor (1965-68) then as a Political Science Research Fellow for the Illinois Legislative Council (one of his favorite jobs). He was lured to Lansing by a friend to work as an Executive Assistant to Governor William Milliken from 1969 until 1971. He was very proud to manage the activities of and write the report for the 20-member Welfare Study Commission. The report contained 108 recommendations for welfare program improvements. One result was to make General Assistance a state funded and administered program. He served as the Governor’s principal liaison to the Department of Social Services.

In 1971, the Director of the Department of Social Services lured him to that Department. He served in that Department until his retirement in 1997. His various positions were as (in order) Director of: Quality Control and Program Analysis; Bureau of Finance, Office of Food Programs and the Health and Welfare Data Center. In the last position he was responsible for a data center employing 400 with a budget of $25 million.

Lee also learned to cook in the Army. He used this skill when he started courting Sue in late 1980. He would invite her over to watch the Lions and cook dinner for her. His first Christmas presents from Sue were a cutting board, chef’s knife and The New York Times 60-Minute Gourmet Cookbook. He continued seducing her with Bavette de Boeuf Sauce Chasseur and Haricots Verts au Citron from the book. He went on to successfully experiment with other cuisines. His friends and family looked forward to any meal he prepared, especially osso buco, lamb shanks, and his best in the universe lemon cheesecake, sweet potato pecan pie and, yes, meatloaf!

Lee loved sports, especially the Detroit Tigers. But he was known as Mr. Baseball because he followed the entire sport. He amazed everyone with his encyclopedic knowledge of baseball. He also followed the Lions, and Pistons. He didn’t limit himself to Detroit teams, also following teams in areas where family lived – the SF Giants, SD Padres and AZ Diamondbacks and Cardinals. After retirement, Lee bought partial season packages for Tiger games. He and Sue or one of his other friends enjoyed many good times at Comerica Park. The pregame always occurred at Da Eduardo Restaurant across the street. He became so well-known that there would be two seats saved at the bar for him (thank you Diana). Lee and Sue attended all the home game playoffs in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. Didn’t like the SF Giants very much when they swept the Tigers in the World Series. Despite this, one of his favorite all time experiences was going to the first SF Giants World Series game on October 27, 2010 with cousin Andy Hall. As he was passing, he looked up and got this smile of joy on his face, we are sure Babe Ruth was coming to escort him to the Heavenly Team.

Lee was deeply interested in history and politics (“Politics is a game where time never runs out”). The 100s of books in the house testify to those interests. He also enjoyed many trips with Sue. Some favorites were to Paris, Barcelona, Mediterranean Spain, cruises on the Adriatic (to Croatia) and across the Atlantic and Pacific. Among the favorites – a trip to Chile in 1988 with cousins Jim and Dee to visit cousin Buddy; a week-long stay in the Chianti region of Italy with good friends; a cruise from Buenos Aires to Valparaiso. At the end of that cruise, he spent a week in Quintay, Chile with 7 women – don’t ask. His daughter, Nanette, surprised him by meeting him at the dock! He loved it!

Lee is survived by his wife, Sue, married 37 years and together for 42; his beloved daughter, Nanette; grandchildren, Ryan and Olivia; sister-in-law, Laurie; and canine ‘kid’, Zeke. He also leaves many well-loved cousins and friends, too many to name but you know who you are.

There will be no services. There will be a Celebration of Life on July 28, his 88th birthday. Gorsline Runciman Tiffany Chapel is handling arrangements and this will be an invitation-only event.

Memorial donations may be made to the Capital Area Humane Society, 7095 West Grand River Ave., Lansing, MI 48906 or any organization that helps animals (especially dogs).

“I’m so glad we had this time together, Just to have a laugh and sing a song, Seems we just got started and before you know it, Comes the time we have to say, ‘So Long’” (Joe Hamilton)

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.tiffanyfuneralhome.com for the Hall family.