- Date Of Birth: January 31, 1945
- Date Of Death: February 17, 2022
- State: Indiana
The world truly lost one of the greatest men, when Richard D. Lambdin, 77, passed away on the morning of February 17th, 2022, after courageously battling vascular dementia, for many years.
Rich was born in Elkhart, Indiana, to the late Glenn and Ruth (Huff) Lambdin, on January 31, 1945. He attended Elkhart High School, received his GED while in the Army, and completed a four year machinist apprenticeship with Miles Laboratories. For nearly 50 years, he worked as a machinist for Miles-Bayer-Siemens. Rich proudly served his country in Vietnam, from 1967-1968, after being drafted into the Army, where he served in the 9th Infantry Division, also known as the “Old Reliables”.
Although Rich privately struggled with PTSD, he was still able to see his time in the military as a blessing in disguise. He said the Army made him grow up quickly, and had he not, he may have missed out on the man he became, which was a devoted family man. Upon his return home, Rich met the love of his life, Nancy (Booth) Lambdin. They met in the McDonald’s parking lot, while cruising in downtown Elkhart. They married on June 20th, 1969. Nancy has always talked about how lucky she was to have him as her husband.
She will never forget their honeymoon, in which they drove to California on Route 66, in their non air-conditioned Dodge GTS 383, which she calls the trip of a lifetime, being with him. He was truly the most incredible dad, and will be greatly missed by his son, Shane Lambdin (Marsha Stiles) and daughter, Stacy Lambdin (Richard Hebard). Rich whole-heartedly loved being a grandpa “Papa” to Niya Fallace, Gage Lambdin (Bailey Lowery), and Logan Lambdin. His father-in-law, Kermit Booth, grew to love him like a son, and his sisters, Pat (and the late Bill) Dowell and Carolyn (Charles) Hartman, along with his nieces and nephews, will miss him dearly. He also leaves behind his beloved border collie rescue, Takoda.
Rich enjoyed traveling with family and friends, fishing, cool weather camping, snowmobiling, classic cars, and all furry and feathered animals. More than anything, he loved spending time with his family and dogs. He would do anything to spend time with them, which included helping his son, Shane, rebuild his ‘76 Camaro, and being a “band dad” for his daughter, Stacy. He never missed anything that his kids and grand kids were participating in. He, along with his dad and father-in-law, built the house that Nancy still lives in. He took his family to Lake Michigan, often, and eventually put in a pool for all to enjoy.
He took his family camping and on many memorable vacations, which usually included a few of his kids’ friends, who he treated like his own. Rich and Nancy’s home was the place where their children’s friends were always welcome. Some of his family’s most cherished memories with him are the two weeks they spent, every August, at Hartman’s lake cottage on Lake Tippecanoe, in Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin. Rich was a good sport, who took his family to Cedar Point every Father’s Day, because he knew how much they enjoyed it.
He was the dad who, every year, took his family to cut down a Christmas tree, which sometimes turned into a real “Clark Griswold” adventure. He spent many evenings popping popcorn on the stove, baking homemade chocolate chip cookies, making fudge and penuche, and playing board games with his family. Every winter, he and Nancy would help Shane and Stacy build the biggest family snowman they could. Rich also enjoyed music, and took Nancy and his kids to see their first concert, the Rolling Stones. He was a man of quiet strength, hard working, sensitive, kind hearted, loving, and fun.
It gives us some peace, knowing that Rich has now been reunited with his brother, John “Jack” Lambdin, who he painfully missed, after 65 years apart. His parents, Glenn and Ruth (Huff) Lambdin have been patiently waiting for him, along with his brother-in-law, Bill Dowell, and his mother-in-law, Norma (Groves) Booth. We’re sure that Rich, Glenn, and Bill are lining up a fishing trip right now. He is also getting to meet his brothers, Robert “Bobby” Lambdin and Carl Lambdin, for the very first time. We know he is petting and loving on his beloved dogs; Ginger, Snoopy, Stella, and Bonnie, who have been impatiently waiting for him, as well.
