Benjamin V Lambert

1938 - 2021
Benjamin V. Lambert died Saturday evening, January 30, surrounded by people he loved after a brave and hopeful battle against cancer. Always optimistic, Ben left life the way he lived, making those around him feel loved and certain that he was so glad they were with him. While his accomplishments were numerous and amazing, the magic of Ben was his presence. He filled a room with special energy. He knew so much about everyone he came in contact with because he asked. He lived in broad strokes, but relished small interactions. Ben graduated from Brown University in 1960. Not many know he was accepted as part of a program for students Brown thought had unproven potential. He expressed his gratitude to Brown over the rest of his life as he oversaw many real estate transactions and served as a Trustee. He married classmate, Priscilla Lambert, and got a job selling fabric from a rolling cart for Burlington Mills. In 1967, while working at Eastman Dillon, he had the idea to create an investment bank for real estate and Eastdil was born. The rest is history as Eastdil Secured is known for its impressive market share but as importantly for its collaborative culture, which Ben imbued it with and continued to nurture for more than 50 years - "Other companies have brokers. Eastdil has trusted advisors." There were countless iconic and record breaking deals - sales of the GM building,The Embarcadero Center, The Helmsley Portfolio, the purchase of The Irvine Ranch - and so many more. He was also able to help orchestrate (more than once) the sale of Eastdil and it's repurchase. Ben loved doing deals. He loved the characters and the nuances, the teamwork, the details and the drama. Ben also used his energy, talent and money to found The Harlem Day Charter School. He served on Boards of The Urban Land Institute, The Waterford School and Institute, The Spence School, The Irvine Company, Hilton Hotels and many others. He wrote notes on baby blue notepads with a brown flair pen, went to the same barber for 40 years, joked with the receptionist on his way in in the morning and lived a life he loved with dinners, tennis games (he much prefered to win) and just being with family. Born on May 9, 1938 to Henry L. and Marion Lambert, Ben is survived by his adored wife of 27 years, Linda Lloyd Lambert; best friend and brother, Henry A. Lambert; daughters, Alexa Lambert, Lauren Lambert and Hilary Lambert; stepson, Oliver Lloyd; sons in law, Chauncey Parker and Randall Batinkoff; daughter in law, Laurie Lloyd and grandchildren, Jack Parker, Max McGinley, Grace Parker, Isabel Batinkoff, Elle Lloyd and Coco Lloyd - for whom he would wear silly hats, dance "Ben" dances, make up songs and do just about anything. He will be missed by so many and never forgotten. Donations in Ben's honor can be made to The ASPCA at 520 8th Ave or The Brooklyn Charter School (brooklyncharter.org)..