Robert D Lamb

He was born November 25, 1928 in Peoria to Elmer L. and Agnes C. (Noonan) Lamb.  He married Mary Ellen Houchens on April 23, 1949 in Peoria.He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Howard, Willis, Bruce, and Paul Lamb; and three sisters, Marion Huston, Ruth Curtis and Sister Lois Lamb, SSND.

Surviving are two daughters, Dr. Catherine Lamb and Christine (Kent) Reynolds, both of Peoria; two sons, Robert "Rob" Lamb of Temecula, California and Daniel (Laurie Pillman) Lamb of Peoria; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Robert served in the United States Navy as a boatswains mate from 1951 to 1953 on the USS Oak Hill.  He was an atomic veteran, participating in Operation Ivy Mike, which tested the first hydrogen bomb in the Enewetak Atoll, Marshall Islands.

He worked as a journeyman plumber for over 60 years for Plumbers Local #63 in Peoria beginning in 1947.  He later worked as a self-employed tax accountant and consultant from 1970 until 2001.  He also had worked for Catholic Social Services for many years.

He enjoyed volunteering for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program as well as the VITA tax program.  He also volunteered at Methodist Medical Center starting in 1988, giving over 3,000 hours of service, including as a Eucharistic minister.

Robert took great personal satisfaction in his detailed woodworking projects.  In his younger years, he enjoyed hunting with his brothers and friends.

He was a former member of the Knights of Columbus St. Jude Council in Peoria and was a 4th Degree Knight.

He was raised in St. Patricks Catholic Church in Peoria. He later was a member of Sacre Coeur Catholic Church in Creve Coeur and St. Mark's Catholic Church in Peoria.  He was most recently a member of St. Philomena Catholic Church in Peoria.  He helped formulate the first Diocesan Cana Conference in 1950.  He also was a member of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and of Cursillo #100. 

His funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Monday, February 4, 2013 at St. Philomena Catholic Church in Peoria.  Father David P. Richardson will officiate.  Visitation will be Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Creve Coeur, with recitation of the Rosary at 1:30 p.m.  Additional visitation will be 30 minutes prior to the mass at the church.  Burial will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in West Peoria where military rites will be provided by the United States Navy and the Tazewell Military Rites Team. 

Memorial contributions may be given to the Alzheimer's Association Central Illinois Chapter at 606 W. Glen Ave. Peoria, IL 61614 or to the Hands Helping Haiti Water Project at 108 N. Meadow Ln. Annawan, IL 61234.