KINGFIELD — Richard Edmond Lambert, age 101, has gone to be with the Lord he loved, Friday, Feb. 13, 2009 at the Edgewood Rehabilitation and Living Center in Farmington where he had been a resident for the past three months. He has joined his beloved wife of 68 years, Lucille, who died in April 1996 and their only daughter, Rosalind Lambert Starnes, who died in 1997. Richard also had a sister Gladys Lambert Bean, four years his senior, who also died at 101, five years ago.

Richard was born Sept. 14, 1907 in West Freeman, the son of Harry and Jennie (Gray) Lambert. He was educated in the schools of Strong, starting at the age of four and graduating at the age of sixteen. Richard worked at Starbird's Mill of Strong for 35 years. He served as foreman of the garage; engineered and oversaw the building of the debarking plant, doing a lot of the electrical and machine work. He also acted as foreman of the upper long lumber mill for 13 summers.

Richard and Lucille moved to Kingfield, where his son Maurice and he operated Lambert's Esso Station on Main Street, retiring in 1972.

He and his wife were members of the Methodist Church of Strong and Richard served as lay leader several times. Living in Kingfield for 20 years, they were members of the First Baptist Church where he served as deacon for 14 years. Richard was a corporator of the former Kingfield Savings Bank and served on the town's budget committee. After Lucille became ill, they sold their home in Kingfield and moved back to Strong. He then joined the Farmington Baptist Church and served as greeter for a number of years. He loved everyone and received the Boston Post Cane in 2007. Richard will be known for his smile and hugs.

Richard is survived by a son, Maurice Lambert and wife, Dot, of Kingfield where Richard made his home for the past two years; five grandsons, Richard M. Lambert and wife, Judy, of Swanville, Scott and wife, Sue, of Oakland, Clair and wife, Jeanette, of Kingfield, Parris and wife, Linda, of Benton, Dale Starnes and wife, Georgette, of Jay; six granddaughters, Sandra Starnes of Farmington (Edgewood Rehabilitation and Living Center), Sharon and husband, Brian Bane, of Clinton, Pamela and husband, Dennis Bare, of Kingfield, Sonya Dearborn and husband, Richard, of Kingfield, Val (died Feb. 2007) and husband, Bob Baker, of Salem, Melanie and husband, Roger Meldrum, of Kingfield; 22 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren.

Friends wishing may make donations in his memory to the Farmington Baptist Church, c/o Pastor Earl Edgerly, 216 Whittier Road, Farmington, Maine 04938.

The funeral was held Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009, at the Farmington Baptist Church. The Pastor Earl Edgerly of Farmington Baptist Church and Pastor Tom Dubois of Western Mountains Baptist Church of Kingfield, officiated. Committal service to be held in the spring.