RALPH CLIFFORD LAMBERT

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

RALPH CLIFFORD LAMBERT Ralph Clifford Lambert died on January 21, 2004. He slept away peacefully after suffering from Leukemia for a short period. Ralph was born on the island of St. Kitts in the West Indies. His early education was on the island. In the early years of the Second World War, he sailed to England to join the R.A.F. where he took basic training. Then he sailed to Canada for navigation training in P.E.I., Nova Scotia and Quebec Province. He was commissioned in Canada and held the rank of Flt. Lt. On return to Great Britain, he was stationed in Wick, Scotland, and flew missions over the North Sea on coastal command, reporting on enemy shipping. After the war, Ralph served at the Colonial Office in London, England, repatriating West Indians and sitting on Courts Martial. Ralphs medical studies took place at Birmingham University. After graduation he worked in several hospitals in major cities in England. In 1956 Ralph and Janet were married and shortly after, they embarked upon six years in Jamaica, three years at the University College Hospital in Kingston, then three years as Senior Medical Officer at Montego Bay Hospital. After one year in England, Ralph was successful in his application for the post of Senior Medical Officer at the Assiniboine Hospital in Brandon in 1964 - a position he held for many years. Then he went in to private practice until retiring in 1998. During Ralphs years in medicine, he became a member of The Royal College of Physicians (London, England) and a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (Canada). He studied and wrote papers that were produced in the West Indian Medical Journal, and he presented a paper at a medical conference in Vienna. Ralph was a very keen tennis player and coached several young people, one or two of whom did well in Provincial Championships. He was a life member of the Brandon Kiwanis Club and had served in the past on the board of the Y.M.C.A., the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Vestry of St. Matthews Cathedral. Ralph had a most interesting life. He travelled extensively, read widely, had many interests and was always learning. He will be sadly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him. He leaves to mourn his death, wife of 47 years, Janet; children, Charles (Natalie) and Nicola (Paul) grandchildren, Zachary, Mya and Aine; sister Sylvia in Antigua; brother Melville (Dorothy) in New York; sisters-in-law, June (David) and Norma (Harry) in England; also many nieces, nephews and cousins in England, The West Indies, The USA and Canada. A memorial service in celebration of Ralphs life will be held at St. Matthews Cathedral, 403-13th Street, Brandon, on Monday, January 26 at 2:00 p.m. with Very Rev. Robin Walker officiating. Inurnment will follow in the St. Matthews Cathedral Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brandon Regional Health Centre Bed Campaign "A Bed For You...A Bed For Me," 150 McTavish Ave. E., Brandon, MB R7A 2B3, or to a charity of your choice. Messages of condolence may be placed at www.brockiedonovan.com Arrangements are in care of Brockie Donovan, Brandon, 727-0694.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 24, 2004