Gordon Eyre Lamb

Gordon Eyre Lamb passed away peacefully near his Florida home in the early morning on August 14th, the day after his 95th birthday.

Born on August 13th, 1930, he was the son of the late Dana and Helen (née Tweedy) Lamb. He is predeceased by his siblings, Lawton Lamb and Faith Bryan. He was briefly survived by his beloved wife, Anita Lamb, who also passed away peacefully just five days later. He is survived by his children: Bradford Lamb (m. Rebecca Lamb), Susanna Lamb, and Faith Rushford (m. Tim Rushford); and seven grandchildren.

Gordon grew up in the family's ancestral home on a salt marsh on the North Shore of Long Island, where his father was also born. His father, being an inordinately-skilled wing shot, fly fisherman and writer, endowed him with a lifelong love of the outdoors. This led to wonderful times with rod and gun, ranging from Canadian Salmon rivers to Southern Plantations. Also, on the sea and the sky above, he enjoyed sailing with his family on their cruising sailboat and flying in their faithful classic Cessna 195.

Gordon was a graduate of Millbrook School (class of 1948) in upstate NY, and Princeton University (class of 1952), where he earned a BA in Geology and rowed for the Crew Team. He completed an MBA at University of Houston and NYU Stern School of Business. Following his undergraduate education, he began his 17 years of service in the U.S. Navy: three years on active duty as a carrier-based Fighter pilot with Squadron 47, and 14 years with the Naval Reserve. He carried his love of flying into civilian life, serving as NY State Governor of The Soaring Society of America (SSA), becoming a Standard-class soaring champion of New England and of the Mid Atlantic States, and earning all three SSA Diamonds. Gordon flew for many years with the Skytypers with their six SNJ-2 World War II aircraft and, after more than fifty years of combined military and civil piloting experience, was a recipient of The Wright Brothers "Master Pilot" Award.

Gordon's civilian work life began in 1955, following active duty. He spent the next four years in Montana and Texas as a geologist and pilot. It was during this time that he had the great fortune of meeting his life partner, Anita Dryselius, the daughter of Swedish diplomats posted at the Consulate in Houston. From there, they moved to NY, where Gordon landed on Wall Street, launching a 50-year career, during which he became partner and President of a small NYSE member firm. He kept active with his investment career until the age of 80, when he became a full-time resident of Florida at the Harbour Ridge Yacht and Country Club. Appointed Director Trustee of the Jefferson Family Charitable Trust, he devoted much of his last 15 years working in philanthropy.

Gordon's curiosities and interests ran wide and deep, including ham radio, model airplanes, aviation, fly fishing, hunting, sailing, skiing, tennis, golf, bridge, chorale singing, and birding. A naturalist at heart, he was a caretaker of the animals, plants and places he encountered, just as he was of the people in his life. Gordon was a devoted husband to Anita for 66 years. Their shared life was animated by a rich array of lasting friendships, many made over the 47 years they lived in Cold Spring Harbor, NY. They loved playing together and with a close group of friends at their many mutual interests, and traveled extensively. For 20 years, they gathered their children and grandchildren every summer at Squam Lake in NH, where Gordon had spent his childhood summers and where his grandfather had been a rector to the local community. Together, he and Anita left a legacy of strong family bonds through shared experience among the next generations.

Along with other affiliations, Gordon was a long-time member of The Anglers Club of New York and the Ancient Order of Quiet Birdmen (QBs), and served on the Community Advisory Board of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. His children and grandchildren will always remember and cherish him for his devotion to family and friends, his extraordinary talents and capacities, his quick sense of humor, and endless repertoire of entertaining stories, often relayed in dialects.

The family looks forward to gathering once again at Squam Lake to celebrate Gordon's life, and Anita's, in a meaningful way at a time still to be determined. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in his memory.