Charles Roderick Lampman Jr.

Commander, USN (Ret.)

Commander Charles “Chuck” R. Lampman, USN (Ret.) passed away into the arms of the Lord on July 4th, 2024. His love of country, including 26 years of active military duty, showed the true patriot that he was in passing on Independence Day.

Chuck was born in the Hudson River Valley of New York on October 5th, 1936, the first grandchild, nephew, and great-nephew for both sides of his family. As a result, his grandmothers, great-aunts, and aunts made it their business to teach him all about the importance of the area during the American Revolution. That love of history stayed with him his entire life. He also grew up during the heyday of Gene Autry, the Lone Ranger, the Rifleman, and many other western genre programs so loved the west and cowboys his entire life. His family left New York following WWII, and moved west to Arizona and then California, which only reinforced his love of all things western – cowboy boots & hats, horses, and turquoise jewelry. He was an Eagle Scout. He spent summers during high school as a lifeguard, and swimming & canoeing instructor at the Tulakes Scout Ranch, part of the Old Baldy Council.

Following graduation from Pomona High School, Chuck attended Mt. San Antonio College for a year before attending the California Maritime Academy, graduating with the Class of 1959. He received his deck officer training during the many months spent at sea while at “Cal Maritime” and was always grateful for that. In June 1960, he was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy as a line officer. He served in many different capacities. His teaching shore tour at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD began his love of sharing information with others, and this was the birthplace of both his children! His tour in Viet Nam as a Naval Gunfire Liaison Officer involved 20 different operations embedded with the 11th Marines of the 1st Marine Division, directing artillery and naval gunfire from the front lines. The danger of the role is demonstrated by his 3 Purple Hearts. He retired in June 1985 as Officer-in-Charge of the Navy’s Fleet Analysis Center in Corona, CA.

Following his Navy retirement, Chuck became involved with professional catering, which allowed him to indulge another love – cooking. It was a second career that he enjoyed for more than a decade.

He joined the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) in 1993 with the Saratoga Battlefield Chapter in New York but was active with the Riverside Chapter in California. He very much enjoyed the history and companionship of many great friends. He took the opportunity to be a speaker at many community group meetings to share information about the American Revolution and wrote over 20 articles about that conflict for the SAR in chapter, state and national publications. He did his own research for articles and talks and created a personal library of over 1,000 books on the subject. He served the CA State Society as President and served 2 terms as the SAR National Historian General. His lovely wife, Anne Delano Lampman, was also the CA State President (Regent) in the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

He leaves behind his daughter, Tara Lampman Boulden and her husband, Mark S. Boulden, his son Bret Lampman, nephews Troy and Trace (Julie) Sardone, grandchildren Nicholas (Dymon) Boulden, Ivan (Teagan) Boulden, Brendan (Erika) Lampman, and Brittany Lampman Isbell (Dom), along with great-grandchildren Ellie Lampman, and Andrew & Audrey Boulden.

He was predeceased by his parents, Charles R. Lampman & Elizabeth Catherine Lewis Lampman, his sister Jo Ann Lampman Sardone, his wife Anne Delano Lampman, and grandson Stuart James Boulden.

Services will be planned for a later date. Memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to NSSAR 809 West Main Street, Louisville, KY 40202