Gene Leedy was an architect based in Winter Haven, Florida. Leedy was one of the pioneers of the modern movement in Florida and later one of the founders of the Sarasota School of Architecture, whose members also included Paul Rudolph, Victor Lundy and others. After beginning his career in Sarasota, Leedy moved his practice to Winter Haven, Florida in 1954. Leedy is most well known for his bold use of precast concrete, especially long-span "double-tee" structural elements.
Personal life
Gene Leedy was born to Cecil Hudgins Leedy and Ethyl Ferguson Leedy on February 6, 1928 in Isaban, West Virginia. Cecil Leedy was a supervisor for a coal mining company and Ethyl taught school in a one-room schoolhouse. The family eventually moved to Gainesville, Florida where Cecil Leedy opened a small restaurant. Gene Leedy attended the University of Florida where he studied architecture. Leedy married Kathryn "Bebe" Hoge, of Tampa, Florida on July 20, 1950 in Arlington, Virginia. The couple resided in Sarasota, Florida and later moved to Winter Haven, Florida in 1954 when Gene Leedy opened his own architectural office there. Their son, Robert Hoge Leedy, was born in Winter Haven on October 17, 1956. The couple divorced in 1958. Gene Leedy later married Marjorie Frances Ingram on March 6, 1960. The couple, along with a daughter from Marjorie's previous marriage, Helen Isabel King, resided in Winter Haven. A daughter, Marjorie "Saffie" Ingram Leedy, was born October 25, 1962 and later a son, Ingram Leedy, was born November 1, 1969. Leedy's wife, Marjorie, died on Christmas Day 2010 in Winter Haven.
Notable career achievements
Leedy was selected as one of Architectural Record's successful young architects in 1965 with a published portfolio of his work. In 1988, he was awarded the lifetime design achievement award from the Florida Association of Architects. He was installed into the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects in 1992. He received the outstanding alumni award from the College of Architecture of the University of Florida in 1993. He has been extensively published in the U.S. and Europe and has received more than 50 architectural awards both nationally and statewide for his work. He designed projects throughout the U.S. including Hawaii and a large housing project for the government of Malaysia and was a design consultant for Alfred A. Yee and Associates, Architects and Engineers, Honolulu, Hawaii for more than 25 years. Notable employees of Leedy include architects Lawrence Scarpa and Max Strang.
Honors and awards
Lifetime Design Achievement Award - Florida Chapter of the American Institute of Architects - 1988 Outstanding Alumni Award - University of Florida College of Architecture - 1993 Fellows of the AIA - 1992
