Richard E. Lambert

Richard E. Lambert
Lived in Tewksbury and Lowell; 73

ANDOVER -- Richard E. Lambert (Dick, Peck), loving husband, father, grandfather, sponsor, uncle,brother, and friend, Age 73.

Having avoided all doctors for the past two decades, Richard died Thursday, January 28, 2016, at Lawrence General Hospital surrounded by loved ones.

Born on October 30, 1942, and raised in the Pawtucketville area of Lowell, he was youngest child of the late Dollard and late Henriette (Longval) Lambert. In 1971, Richard married Katherine T. (Higham) Lambert of Lawrence, and they raised their family and resided in Tewksbury for 41 years. For the past three years, Richard and Katherine have lived with their daughter in Andover.

Richard graduated Saint Jean d'Arc Elementary School (Class of 1956), and Lowell High School (Class of 1960). After working in food services at Lowell General Hospital, he went on to work as a meter reader and then a lineman for Lowell Electric Light. He later became an engineering assistant with Massachusetts Electric Company. He was very active with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW Local 326), serving on their Executive Team as a President, VP, and Board Member. After 30 years of electrical service, often working 75 hour weeks to put his wife and children through college, Richard retired.

Richard joined the United States Air Force Reserves at Hanscom Field in 1962, reporting to the military air police. After being called for active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Richard served at the Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.

With a passion for puzzles and a knack for processing numbers in his head, Richard loved playing complex card games, predicting outcomes of sports races, and pressing his luck with the lottery. When his children were young, he loved taking them on mystery rides, where he would pack everyone in the car and no one would know where they were going until they arrived at a local ice cream shop or park (or in another state) -- a tradition that has continued with his grandchildren. Richard was a Board Member and troop leader for the Boy Scouts of America, and was actively involved in coaching his children in Tewksbury Youth Soccer. A generation later, he enjoyed cheering on his son and grandchildren on the soccer field. He loved playing bingo with his grandchildren too. The past few years, with the joy of helping the "working class guy" with tangible results, Richard enjoyed hanging posters throughout the Merrimack Valley for Run For The Troops, an all-volunteer, 501(c)3 organization that raises money to build homes for local disabled veterans.

Richard was "A Friend of Bill W." Other than his family, perhaps Richard's greatest accomplishment was maintaining his sobriety for the last 38 years. He was an active sponsor, group member, treasurer, and resident coffee-maker for several local groups.

Richard was previously wed to the late Jeannette (Wesley) Lambert of Lowell. He was predeceased by his sister, Joan Lambert of Maine, and two of his sons: Todd Lambert of Tewksbury (1975) and Kenneth Lambert of Billerica (2013).

Richard is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Katherine (Higham) Lambert of Andover and his brother, Normand and Gloria Lambert of Malta, NY. He is also survived by his children: William and Barbara (Grilli) Lambert of Larchmont, NY; Lauren (Feick) Lambert of Billerica; Karen Lambert of Andover; Shane and Wendy (Barry) Lambert of Novi, MI. Along with several nieces and nephews, Richard leaves behind five adoring grandchildren: Arielle, Jack, Andrew, Kaitlyn, and Evan Lambert.

LAMBERT -- Visitation will be held at the Conte Funeral Home, 17 Third St., North Andover on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016, from 4 until 7 pm. A private burial will be held at St. Joseph's Cemetery, Chelmsford.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Richard Lambert to the woundedwarriorproject.org. For funeral home directions or to sign the family guest book, please visit www.contefuneralhomes.com