Richard Tippin Lambert

Richard Tippin Lambert, 91, of St. Simons Island, GA died November 6, 2014. He was born in Syracuse, N.Y., the son of the Reverend Dr. Robert Lambert and Sylvia Kinney. He married Betty Lange Lambert May 22, 1948, in Dayton, Ohio.

Richard grew up in Cinncinati, OH. After attending Walnut Hills High School, he served in the U.S. Army Aircorp as a B-29 tail gunner, flying 35 missions from Saipan to Japan in WWII. He graduated from Williams College in 1947 where he was a varsity diver and lacrosse player. He then graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary. He served churches in Granville, OH, Ft. Yukon and Fairbanks, AK, and Naples, FL. He was awarded a Doctorate of Divinity

from The University of the South in 1975.

His children remember many incredible acts of kindness. At the same time many will remember what a character he was. While in Alaska he traveled by a single engine plane, to different villages to preach to Athabascan Indians. As a bush pilot he would often fly in white out conditions and be forced to navigate by the lights from boats on the Yukon River to guide him. He had harrowing and hilarious tales to tell of the six years spent in the Alaskan territory raising two young boys and having a daughter born in 58 degree below zero temperatures.

In Naples, FL., he was known especially for his visits to patients at Naples Memorial Hospital. He would also regularly visit the elderly and shut in. While he was the rector at Trinity- by- the –Cove Episcopal Church, he helped acquire land for five Episcopal churches in Southwest Florida. He served as rector of Trinity- by- the- Cove for twenty years.

After moving to St. Simons in 1979, he became an avid golfer. He was a true gentleman of the sport. He was part of the Kent Group and was a member of the Sea Island Round Table.

Richard and Betty were married for 61 years. He is survived by five children: Richard T. Lambert Jr. of St. Simons Island, Chris L. Lambert (Bridgett), of Colorado Springs, CO, Susan Yates (Ron) of Greensboro, GA, Deborah Lambert Major (Sonny) of Richmond, VA., and Mary Lambert Belechak (John), also of St. Simons Island; grandchildren include Ashley L. Moore (Michael) , Christopher L. Lambert, Jr, Richard T. Lambert, III, Blake M. Lambert, Jonathan L. Lambert, Victoria R. Lambert, Sarah L. Belechak, Claire Y. Belechak ; two step-grandchildren, Amy Kassis(Tony) and Kelly Kopen, four great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

The memorial service will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday, November 22, at Christ Church Frederica, St. Simons Island, Ga., with the Revd. Tom Purdy and the Revd. Ernest Bennett, officiating. Family and friends are invited to a reception in the parish hall immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to Christ Church Frederica and Hospice of the Golden Isles. Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home are in charge of the arrangements.