Richard Chambers

Richard “Rick” Lynn Chambers, 76, of Mountain Brook, Alabama, passed away on August 14, 2020, surrounded by family and friends whom he dearly loved and who dearly loved him. He will be remembered as a loving and generous father, husband, son, and grandparent with a booming, larger-than-life personality. Rick was born in Blytheville, Arkansas, where he spent his early years. He is a 1962 graduate of Holland High School in Holland, Missouri. After high school, he attended Memphis State University and the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs where he studied respiratory therapy. He proudly served in the United States Air Force from 1964 to 1970 as an Air Force Medic. After his military service, he returned to Birmingham to co-found the Respiratory Therapy Program at UAB and worked many years as a healthcare executive for several prominent companies including: HealthSouth, Source Medical, United Medical Corp, Healthdyne, BridgeCare Hospitals and most recently Valentines Diabetic Supply. Rick enjoyed spending time with his family, boating, and traveling. He particularly enjoyed telling his children and grandchildren about his experiences on an African safari and touring Alaska and Ireland. Although he suffered adversity in his life which included the untimely death of his wife Carol and his son Keith, he never let these events define who he was but instead used them to achieve success in all areas of his life. He was an inspiration to all that knew him and he was a living example of love, loyalty, and trust. He is preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Helen Chambers; his wife Carol Chambers; and his son Keith Chambers. He is survived by his loving wife Elizabeth Chambers who loved, cared, and adored him; his daughter Kallie Lunsford (Mike); grandchildren Helen, Tyler, and Dylan Lunsford, all of Hoover; sister Beth Yarbrough (Russell) of Maumelle, Arkansas; and brother Steve Samford (Pat) of St. Louis, Missouri. In addition, Rick is survived by numerous lifelong friends with whom he shared his quick witted sayings and phrases which became known as “Ricky-isms” among his closest friends. If he knew you, you were blessed and loved. He was admired, greatly loved, and made the world a better place. He will be missed. Those who knew Rick know that the safety of his friends and family was his utmost concern. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a celebration of his life event will be held in the spring of 2021 with hugs, stories, and many toasts to a life well-lived.