DR. EDWIN P. LES

INDIAN POINT – Dr. Edwin P. Les died June 29, 2006, at a Bangor hospital. Dr. Les was born Dec. 28, 1923, in Adams, Mass., a son of Polish immigrants, Mateusz and Zofia (Kolis) Les. He was a graduate of the Pumpkin Hook School in Cheshire, Mass. and attended Princeton University, Rutgers University and Northeastern University. Dr. Les received his doctorate in genetics from Ohio State University. Dr. Les had a distinguished career in the fields of genetics and animal husbandry, beginning in 1956, when he first came to The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor with Dr. Earl L. Green. During his more than 30 years at The Jackson Laboratory, Dr. Les authored studies of diet and environmental effects on mice; studies which led to aging and obesity studies. His invention of a ventilated caging system for mice is now used in laboratories across the world. In addition, he first described the “quivering gene” in mice, a study model for human Parkinson’s disease. From 1960 to 1962, Dr. Les was the director of Animal Health at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tenn. From 1943 to 46, he served in the U.S. Army in the Corps of Engineers and Army specialized training program. To family, friends and colleagues, Dr. Les will be remembered for his dry wit, quiet determination, and his intellectual curiosity, which embraced topics ranging from woodworking and small engine repair to biology, physics and politics. His gentleness, warmth and spirit will be sadly missed by all. Dr. Les is survived by his wife, Brenda; his son, Krzysztof Les; daughter, Jennifer (Les) Mandler; and grandsons, Alexander Les, Joseph Les and Benjamin Mandler. A reception celebrating his life will be held 1-3 p.m. Sunday, July 2, at Treetops, the Les family home at Indian Point. In remembrance of Dr. Les, donations may be made to The Jackson Laboratory, the Ellsworth Dialysis Center or the Mount Desert Island Hospital. Arrangements made by Jordan-Fernald, Mount Desert.