Hamilton College Emeritus Professor of Botany, Eugene C. Putala, 88, passed away Friday, April 1, 2011 at Faxton - St. Luke's Healthcare Center, New Hartford after a brief illness. Eugene was born October 7, 1922 in Montague, MA, the son of John and Stephie (Tranowski) Putala. He was raised and educated in Montague. He served his country with the US Army Air Corps during World War II. Mr. Putala received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley. He was Assistant Professor of Botany at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. In 1968, he moved to Clinton as a charter faculty member and Chairman of the Science Division of Kirkland College. He became a member of the Hamilton College faculty when the two colleges were combined in 1978 and taught until his retirement in 1989. Eugene spent the rest of his life in Clinton. Eugene is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Christopher and Allison Putala, Washington DC, Theodore Putala, Washington DC; one cherished granddaughter, Caroline Eugenia Putala; and his beloved companion, Patricia C. McKelvey, Clinton. His former wife, Claire White Putala, Oswego, also survives him. A brother, Edward, and two sisters, Henrietta and Veronica, predecease him. A memorial service will be held for Mr. Putala at 12:00 o'clock noon on Saturday, April 23, 2011 at the Hamilton College Chapel, Clinton. A private interment will be held in the Hamilton College Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to the Hamilton College Root Glen, c/o The Trustees of Hamilton College, 198 College Hill Road, Clinton, NY 13323.