Oscar René Lambdin

Oscar René Lambdin, 70, of Springfield, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, September 23, 2026, in Chicago. He was born September 4, 1956, in Tela, Honduras, the son of Harold and Blanca (Aguilar) Lambdin.

Oscar came to the United States while in elementary school and learned English in part by watching The Andy Griffith Show. Although soccer would become his lifelong passion, baseball was his first sport. He played baseball in high school before discovering soccer in college.

That discovery would shape much of Oscar’s life. At Sangamon State University, now the University of Illinois Springfield, he became the school’s first soccer recruit and a charter member of the Prairie Stars program. He played from 1977–1979 and served as team captain all three years. Oscar earned All-District First Team, All-Illinois, All-Midwest, and Sportsmanship honors, and in 1979 was named an NAIA Second-Team All-American. Nearly five decades later, his 55 goals and 131 points still rank third in program history.

Oscar graduated from Sangamon State with an individualized degree in Recreation Management and later served the university for eight years as Coordinator of Intramurals and Recreation.

Oscar’s contribution to soccer extended far beyond his own years on the field. For more than four decades, he coached, trained, refereed, and worked with players throughout central Illinois.

From 1989–1995, Oscar coached the boys’ and girls’ varsity soccer programs at Sacred Heart-Griffin High School, compiling a combined 206-59-33 record and earning Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association Coach of the Year honors in 1991. He led the 1992–93 boys’ team to Regional and Sectional championships and the 1994–95 girls’ team to the IHSA State Quarterfinals, the first Central State Eight girls’ soccer program to reach the state tournament.

Oscar later coached men’s soccer at Lincoln Land Community College, leading the team to a top-15 national ranking and the 2000 Collegiate Conference of Central Illinois Championship. That year, he was named Collegiate Conference of Central Illinois Coach of the Year and District XXIV Coach of the Year.

His influence reached well beyond those teams. Oscar worked with players from youth programs through college and was involved with the Olympic Development Program and the Springfield Spirits semi-professional indoor team. He supported Friends of the Prairie Stars, assisted with soccer camps and clinics, and spent many years refereeing indoor soccer. He also volunteered with Special Olympics, was involved with the Senior Olympics, and was connected with the Illinois Inter-Agency Athletic Association.

Away from the field, Oscar was a lifelong Cardinals and Illini fan who enjoyed attending games. He loved music and dancing, and you could often find him on the dance floor doing the Macarena or listening to Journey.

Oscar was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Blanca (Aguilar) Lambdin.

He is survived by his daughter, Kristin (Curt) Franklin of Pleasant Plains, Illinois; his son, Bryan (Jamie) Lambdin of Auburn, Illinois; his sisters, Lillian Matamoros and Tracy Lambdin, both of Aurora, Illinois; and his grandchildren, Brody and Grace, whom he loved dearly and proudly showed off to everyone he met.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Monday, October 12, at Bisch Funeral Home, 2931 S. Koke Mill Rd., Springfield, Illinois, with visitation following from 3:30–5:30 p.m. Cremation was provided prior to services, with burial to be held at Woodlawn Cemetery in Urbana, Illinois, at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made in Oscar’s memory, with checks payable to Kristin Franklin or Bryan Lambdin. Contributions will be used by the family to honor Oscar’s life and legacy.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites those attending to wear the colors of a team that connects them to Oscar, or purple in recognition of Alzheimer’s awareness.

Arrangements are in the care of Bisch Funeral Home West. 217-544-5424