Obituary - Charles Francis Lambert

On Sunday, July 28, 2024 Charles Francis Lambert, 78, of Richmond went to be reunited in Heaven with his beloved and adorable little Miniature Schnauzers, “Miss Tambi” and “Miss Nina”, who left his side in 2006 and 2014, respectively. Charles, Miss Tambi and Miss Nina will walk together across that beautiful Rainbow Bridge to spend their days in eternity together.

Charles came into this world on March 7, 1946 in Williamsburg, Virginia, the first child of Anne Nenzel and J. Wilfred “Cy” Lambert, both of whom preceded him in death. Charles's childhood and teen years were spent in Colonial Williamsburg and on the campus of William & Mary, where his father was Dean of Students and later Vice President for Student Affairs, and his mother was active in the Alumni Association.

While a student at James Blair High School, Charles faithfully delivered the Richmond Times-Dispatch to customers on a large route in Williamsburg for five years, winning for himself all-expense-paid trips to Miami Beach and New York City on three occasions. Upon graduation from James Blair in 1964, Charles attended the University of Virginia and graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond in 1971. His 47-1/2 years long career in accounting and small business management saw him serving employers such as Collegiate School, The Science Museum of Virginia, The Richmond Symphony, the law firm of Christian & Barton and a large franchise of T.G.I. Friday’s restaurants. At the time of his passing, Charles was retired from the position of Controller & CFO for Westbury Pharmacy in Richmond's West End. Charles was also a freelance accountant and income tax preparer; he loved anything that had to do with numbers! Charles also worked in radio news broadcasting in Williamsburg and in Pensacola, Florida and for WRVA Radio in Richmond while he attended college. One of Charles's hobbies in his earlier years was amateur radio; he held the call sign WA4EPH and was the proud holder of several awards for contacts all over the country and world. With the advent of the Internet, in 1994 Charles created the online identity of SirMartini.

In addition to his sister Louise Lambert Kale of Williamsburg, Charles is survived by his two sons, of whom he was extremely proud and by whom he felt most blessed, Brian Scott Lambert and his wife Esteffanny, and Matthew Todd Lambert and his wife Karen; his four precious granddaughters, Alexis Valentina, Mia Anne, Claire Reagan and Harper Paige and his three handsome grandsons William David, Harrison James and Ethan Carl.

Funeral services for Charles will be held in the chapel of Woody Funeral Home, 1771 Parham Road in Richmond at 3:30 PM on Sunday, August 11, preceded by family and friends visitation for thirty minutes prior to the service, and it was Charles’ wish that his service be not an occasion for sadness, but rather a celebration by his friends of the years he was privileged to spend on this earth. Dress is casual, as is his desire. The music will consist of some of Charles’ favorite hymns and other works, and his friends will be invited to speak their remembrances of him. Charles will be interred in the mausoleum at Westhampton Memorial Park on Patterson Avenue in Richmond, a place Charles often humorously referred to as his “Penthouse for Eternity.” Charles would want you to remember this favorite quote of his: "Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, martini in hand, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a ride.""

In lieu of flowers, Charles would be pleased to know that you have made a contribution in his memory to the Richmond SPCA, 2519 Hermitage Road, Richmond, VA 23230.