- Date Of Birth: November 2, 1930
- Date Of Death: September 4, 2020
- State: Michigan
Howard J Lambers, age 89, went to be with his Lord and Savior on September 4, 2020. Howard was born on November 2, 1930 and grew up in Graafschap, Michigan. He was the son of Herman and Jeanette (Bussies) Lambers. Howard attended both Hope College and the University of Michigan where he received a mechanical engineering degree. He was united in marriage on Oct. 25, 1956 to Donna Telman, (Grand Rapids) his wife of nearly 64 years.
Following his marriage, he moved to Kalamazoo and began a career of more than 30 years with National Water Lift (now Parker HSD). As a chief engineer, his specialty was working with flight controls. Following his retirement, he became a part-time consultant. Howard made significant contributions in the aerospace company and has 3 patents registered with the US government.
Howard enjoyed the outdoors and loved fishing and hunting with his close friends, son-in-law Chip, grandson Ray, and son Dave. He took several hunting trips out west and in Canada. Traveling to Alaska, Europe, Gulf Shores, and Marco Island also brought Howard and Donna great joy as well as camping near Pentwater during the summer.
Family was a huge priority in Howard’s life. He was very proud of his younger and only brother, Paul, who received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery in leading his platoon on a mission in Vietnam. Howard was an avid sports fan and was consistently present at his children’s sporting events/activities and then again later for his grandchildren’s events. He loved family gatherings and spending quality time with his children and grandchildren. Howard also enjoyed spending hours in his workshop and was the first “handyman” that his family called when something needed to be fixed or installed.
Howard’s most important priority in life was to serve God. He was a charter member of Southern Heights Christian Reformed Church in Kalamazoo where he eagerly served numerous times as both a deacon and elder. He later attended Third Christian Reformed Church and enjoyed being a part of small group Bible studies and leading others to know more about Jesus. Christian education was also important to Howard and he willingly served as a school board president and on various committees at Kalamazoo Christian High School.
A wonderful and witty sense of humor brought much joy to his family and friends and he will be dearly missed until we meet again.
He was preceded in death by his brother Paul and brother-in-laws, Ted Zwiep, Chuck Witteveen, Heinie Telman, Gerald Telman, and sister-in-law Tret Telman. Surviving are his wife, Donna Lambers (Telman); his children, Chip & Julie Prins, Phil & Sandy Zwier, Dave and Jenny Lambers; his grandchildren and spouses, Ray & Janell Prins, Lucas & Kristin DeJonge, Eric & Kristin Prins, Dave & Kelly Janke, Ryan Zwier, Katie & Allie Lambers; great grandchildren, Joey, Hunter, Gabby Prins, Cole, Mia, Juan, Levi DeJonge, Harvey Prins, Raini Janke, his sisters, Myra Zwiep and Carol Witteveen and sister-in-law Esther Telman.
