Robert Vance “Bob” Lambert Jr. was born on September 13, 1949 in Evansville, IN. He grew up in the rural town of Henderson, KY. Bob’s father, Robert Sr., was a farmer and Ford tractor dealer; his mother, Norma, served as the accountant for the business. They instilled in Bob, as well as in his four younger siblings (Frederick, David, John and sister, Jean), the importance of hard work, integrity and family, which are values that Bob carried with him throughout his life.
Bob graduated from Henderson County High School in June 1967. He distinguished himself both academically and athletically. He graduated fifth out of 257 students, with honors in science and Latin. He also was active in Henderson’s Junior Achievement program. Bob played varsity football for three years and was named to the All-Conference and All-Western Kentucky teams. He also participated in track. Initially accepted to Purdue, Bob chose West Point after receiving a congressional appointment.
Bob was assigned to A-3, a proud “Avenger” for all four years. I roomed with him plebe year and was honored to meet his parents and siblings during Plebe-Parent Weekend, witnessing firsthand Bob’s close-knit family and how it was the source of his even-keeled and likeable persona. During plebe year, Bob was a lineman on Army’s 150-pound Football Team and wrestled on A-3’s brigade championship squad. We affectionately nicknamed him “Stump,” a testimony to his resilience and ability to hold his ground on the field or on the mat. Beyond athletics, Bob enjoyed being a KDET DJ.
Bob met the love of his life, Diane Meyers, at Snuffy’s during First Class year. Diane was home in Levittown, NY when her Ladycliff roommate asked her to come to West Point for the weekend. Diane recalls that Bob was a true gentleman from the onset. Together, they did what was common at the time: watching movies in Thayer Auditorium, eating at Grant Hall, attending concerts and lounging at the First Class Club. Once Bob acquired his Datsun 240Z, he and Diane traveled on dates away from West Point.
After graduation, Bob visited Diane at her home on Long Island. Bob chose Armor, completed his basic course, and then attended Airborne and Ranger schools. His Ranger buddy throughout the course was classmate Jim Sansone. Jim commented that they became good friends during that unique experience; Bob was tenacious and a great teammate. Although Jim had never met Diane, he felt that he knew her as Bob talked about her continuously. While Jim and the rest of their Ranger classmates envisioned hot showers and cheeseburgers after graduation, Bob thought about Diane and his upcoming marriage.
They were married at the Most Holy Trinity Catholic Chapel at West Point on June 17, 1972. Bob’s brother Frederick was best man, and Diane’s maid of honor was Donna Kelly, a close friend. After a reception at Hotel Thayer, they left for their honeymoon in the Bahamas, where their union was quickly tested by a jellyfish sting, a third-degree sunburn, a moped accident and getting stuck in a sailboat at sea. After a large second country reception in Henderson, they departed for their first duty assignment at Fort Carson, CO, renting a one-bedroom apartment overlooking Pike’s Peak.
Bob’s passion for flying was not to be denied. He and Diane left for flight school, initially at Fort Wolters, TX and then on to Fort Rucker, AL. A classmate, Mike McNulty, and his wife, Ginger, spent quality time with the Lamberts during flight school. Mike recalls Bob’s love of family, enthusiasm for flying and his good nature—always smiling and at ease with whatever was going on around him.
After flight school, Bob continued his military career in aviation. He led the scout section for the Air Cav squadron at Fort Campbell, KY and then was assigned to Korea, serving as a platoon leader and executive officer. After the Armor Officer Advanced Course and now a captain, he was deployed to Fort Hood, TX as an S-3 and XO. As a major, he formed and was appointed commander of the Blackhawk Company at Finthen Airbase in Germany. Bob then attended the Systems Automation Course at Fort Benjamin Harrison, IN before serving as team chief and operations XO for the Fort Leavenworth Combined Arms Command. He also graduated from the Command and General Staff College. He retired a major in 1991. He continued his education, receiving two master’s degrees (business and computer resource management) from Webster University.
Diane and Bob had one child, their beautiful daughter, Tracey Lynn, born on January 9, 1974. After receiving her undergraduate and master’s degrees in education from Miami University, she married Brad Warm in 1998. They have four children: Lexi, Ryan and twin boys Ben and Sam.
After retirement from the Army, Bob worked for government contractors providing information technology for wargame simulations. He and Diane moved to Mason, OH to be closer to family. They relished being grandparents and were able to spend more time with family. They enjoyed travel and visited numerous countries around the world.
In December 2018, Bob was diagnosed with tongue cancer, which spread to his neck. He valiantly battled the disease but lost the fight in June 2020. Bob was a true gift to West Point, his family and to all who knew him. He lived his life committed to “Duty, Honor, Country.” And in Bob’s case, we would add “Family.” We will miss you, Bob. You lived an honorable life. It may indeed be said, “Well Done: Be Thou at Peace.”
— Frank P. Bifulco Jr. ’71, with assistance from Diane Lambert and classmates