Obituary of Herb Lambert

Herb died peacefully at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon with his family by his side. He will be deeply missed by his wife of 55 years, Margot; his son, Anthony (Carla); his daughter, Kristina; his grandchildren, Ian and Dylan; and his brother, Ron.

Herb was born at City Hospital in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on March 11, 1945. He was the firstborn son of Gordon and Winnifred Lambert.

Education was an important part of Herb’s life. He attended Mayfair School, Caswell School and Bedford Road Collegiate. Herb lived in Emmanuel College Residence while completing his undergraduate degree where he made many lifelong friends. Herb received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan. Herb was a lifelong learner and took joy in sharing his knowledge.

Herb has always had a fascination for all things mechanical. Stories are told of his mother turning the refrigerator around for wee Herb to watch the workings of it with fascination. Herb would take every opportunity to help his dad build and work on things around the home. As a teenager, he rebuilt an Oldsmobile engine in the family home basement, exhausted it out the window and ran it to test it. In University, he and his friend built a working hovercraft for the engineering fair using two Volkswagen engines. All through his life Herb loved building model airplanes because of his passion for flight; he always wanted to obtain a pilot’s licence. Herb spent many hours in the garage with his cars. Herb was a problem solver; he enjoyed the challenge of fixing or making things better whether it was a car, a washing machine or a turbine.

Herb’s work was his passion, and his colleagues were his friends. Herb had a 35-year career with SaskPower working at many Saskatchewan power plants. He was invited as distinguished guest to visit Hitachi (turbine manufacturer) Headquarters in Japan. Herb considered working at Poplar River Power Station (in Coronach, Saskatchewan) as the highlight of his career; imagine all that complex equipment that needed his expertise.

Herb and Margot started dating in high school and were married in 1968. They raised their family in Saskatoon, Regina and Coronach, and retired in Saskatoon. Herb was very proud to have both of his children earn degrees from the University of Saskatchewan with Anthony receiving a Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering and Kristina receiving a Bachelor of Education. Herb enjoyed family gatherings whether it was a cookout at Pike Lake, a backyard barbeque or a festive occasion, and he would sit back and take it all in.

Herb was so proud of his grandchildren. He and Margot travelled to see them in Hinton, Yellowknife, and Fort McMurray and when the grandchildren moved to Saskatoon he attended sports activities, graduations, Iron Ring ceremonies, and other events. He took great pleasure in hearing about the grandchildren’s accomplishments. He was very pleased that both of his grandsons followed in his and his son’s footsteps on the path of engineering as a career; they are both currently studying to obtain their Master of Science degrees in Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan.

Herb enjoyed travel. Herb and Margot travelled to many destinations including Hawaii, Mexico, Germany, China, Japan and various locations in Canada and the United States. Many family vacations were taken to Waskesiu, Disneyland and Disney World. Herb loved cruises and his favorite destinations were the warm climates.

Herb was not much for small talk and took pleasure in deep conversation and in quiet moments. If you were lucky enough to have these moments with Herb you left feeling acknowledged, a little smarter and respected. His smile could light up a room and his laughter genuine. His presence will be missed by each life he touched.

Herb was predeceased by his father and mother, Gordon and Winnifred Lambert; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Anton and Helena Preska; his sister-in-law, Winona Lambert; and his nephew, David Lambert.

At Herb’s request there will be no funeral. A private family interment will take place. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your favorite charity in Herb’s memory.