Gary W. Lambrecht

Gary Lambrecht, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother, died peacefully June 6, 2023, with his beloved wife and two adoring daughters at his bedside. He was 68 and resided in Winfield, Ill.
He leaves behind a beautiful legacy in his six grandchildren, who were the pride of his life: Daphne, Grace, Charlotte, Noah, Rose, and Madelynn. Through unforgettable kindness and playful affection, "Papa G" left a lasting imprint in their hearts and memories.
Gary changed his life as a young man when, on a break from his job at a Wausau, Wisconsin butcher shop, he used a pay phone to answer an advertisement from Bell Labs, a hub of scientific and technological research in its day.
That call led Gary to a job at Bell Labs in Naperville, Ill. and, through his own talents and ambition, a successful career as a gifted engineer in many industries, including telecom, health care, and transportation.
Gregarious and thoughtful, energetic and relentlessly positive, Gary excelled as a natural leader in all his pursuits.
Working at Motorola in Arlington Heights, Ill. in the late 1980s through the early 2000s, Gary led teams on multi-million-dollar projects, including developing successive generations of cellular network technology.
Gary was especially competent in project management and new product deployment. He had a knack for finding elegant solutions to difficult problems.
His experience spanned domestic and emerging international markets, including in Europe, Asia, and South America. He left Motorola in 2007 as a senior director of engineering.
Gary then applied his talents as an engineering director for telecom and healthcare companies for several years.
Later in his career, Gary was the Senior Operations Manager for a special partnership between the Illinois Department of Transportation and the University of Illinois at Chicago. There, he led an engineering team developing critical platforms providing Illinois travelers live data on traffic and road conditions.
Gary William Lambrecht was born January 24, 1955 to Wilbur "Bill" and Marjory "Midge" (Lackey) Lambrecht in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Bill was a decorated Korean War veteran. Midge was a homemaker. They preceded him in death.
Bill and Midge raised Gary in Wausau with two older brothers, Rick (Deb) Lambrecht of Chippewa Falls, Wis. and Randy (Jayne) Lambrecht of Germantown, Wis. and a younger sister, Sherrie (Mike) Frederick also of Germantown. His siblings survive, as do the tales of many of Gary's youthful exploits.
Gary graduated from Wausau East High School in 1973. An athlete, he was a member of the varsity football team.
Gary earned an associate degree in applied science from North Central Technical Institute in 1975 and a Bachelor of Science degree from Illinois Benedictine University in 1983. He finished his formal education with a Master of Science degree in 1985 from the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Gary married Faith Ann Grinnell on June 19, 1982. She survives. For over 40 years, Gary and Faith were blessed with a life of love and happiness, built on their shared Christian values.
Together they enjoyed traveling, hiking in many national parks, golfing, bowling, visiting with friends and neighbors, attending church, dining out, hosting family celebrations, and doting on their grandchildren. Special trips to Disney World and Siesta Key with the whole family are cherished memories.
Also surviving are two daughters, Valerie (Chip) Corwin of Bloomington, Ill. and Courtney (Josh) DiFiore of Montgomery, Ill.
Gary was an active member of Wheaton Bible Church and volunteered in the community, spreading God's love through compassion and empathy. His devout Christianity was a pillar of his life. He was blessed to have the company of many friends who filled his life with love and laughter.
Gary delighted in muscle cars, Harley Davidson motorcycles, and laughing with friends, family, and strangers alike. He had a gift for conversation, a wonderful sense of humor, and a brilliant smile.
These qualities were often on display on the shores of Lake Wissota in Chippewa Falls, where Gary regaled visitors to his cottage with legends of a fabled muskie named "Bovalone."
Gary's trademark silver and luxurious head of hair was the envy of many men and an object of fascination for many women. He had a fondness for fruity adult beverages and the infamous Ivy Lane cookies, to the amusement of his two daughters.
Gary cared for his daughters beyond measure, encouraging them throughout life, loving them unconditionally, and taking joy in their many successful endeavors.
Most of all he enjoyed their simple company, whether that came through helping them with homework (and, later, with home projects), through joy rides in a Corvette or on his Harley, or from just sitting across the kitchen table talking and laughing.
As a true testament to his life as a husband and father, Gary's wife and daughters returned that love in kind to his final peaceful moments.
Cremation rites have been accorded to DuPage Cremations and Funeral Chapel.
A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, June 28, beginning with a visitation at 10:00 a.m. at Wheaton Bible Church, 27W500 North Avenue, West Chicago, Illinois, and a memorial service at 11:00. A luncheon will follow at 12:30 p.m. in the Red Oak Room at Cantigny Golf Club, 27W270 Mack Rd, Wheaton, Illinois.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.