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Richard Gary Lambert, M.D., F.A.C.P. died early on March 17, 2025, after dealing patiently with several serious health problems over many years. Cherished husband of Valerie Lambert, beloved father of Amy Kay, Richard Ethan (Hadley), Geoffrey W.P., Travis Richard (deceased), and grandfather of Richard Kolton. He is also survived by his sister, Pam Hoffman, brother, William Jesse Lambert III, brother-in-law, Brent Evans, and niece and nephews.
Richard was born December 3, 1945 in San Jose, CA to Olive Nellie Mae Brown and William Jesse Lambert II. He spent most of his childhood and teen years in Spokane, Washington. He attended the University of Washington and received his bachelor's degree in Zoology there. He moved to Salt Lake to attend the University of Utah, where he received his Medical Degree in 1972. He served his medical internship in Salt Lake, residency at Maricopa County Hospital in Phoenix, AZ, and fellowship at the University of Utah / VA Hospital in Salt Lake City. During medical school, he met and married Valerie. They were happily married for over 50 years.
He specialized in Nephrology (kidney disease) and was one of the first nephrologists in the Salt Lake area. He cared deeply for each of his patients. He would contact them personally to follow-up with them. His sense of humor and bedside manner were greatly appreciated by both his patients and colleagues. After years of caring for his patients, he reluctantly retired due to health problems.
He had many interests including history, especially the Civil War, western movies (John Wayne was his favorite) and classic movies. He loved movie soundtracks and Elvis songs. He was also a very talented artist. He wanted to work as an illustrator for the Walt Disney Company but ultimately chose medical school instead. His family is lucky to have drawings he would make for special occasions. They are some of our most cherished possessions.
He served many callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints including High Counselor, Counselor in a Bishopric, and Executive Secretary to several bishops. He also enjoyed teaching Gospel Doctrine and Primary. After retiring, he continued to share his medical expertise serving on the Returned Missionary Support Services Committee where he worked with missionaries who had to come home early due to health problems.
From Amy and Ethan: We loved spending time together as a family when Dad wasn't at work. He would barbecue dinner for us on the weekends while playing catch with Ethan and Geoff. If he had time off we would often have lunch and shop at Crossroads Mall or meet for drinks and fries at Crown Burger after work. Dad would often go with Amy to pick up Kolton, his grandson, from school. We enjoyed hearing the stories he would tell of the pranks he played when he was younger. We loved watching “Jeopardy!” or playing board games together. Dad would almost always win, except for the time Mom "won" Battleship because she just kept telling him he had missed until the full board was nothing but misses. Dad was well known for his humor and loved telling jokes, some appropriate, some slightly irreverent. We were always so proud when we would meet someone he knew and they would ask: "Is Dr. Lambert your Dad?" Then almost always the next response would be: "He is so funny!"
From Geoff: He was an example of how to be kind, hardworking, faithful, and dedicated to family. In his time off, we often went to movies and enjoyed talking about them at length. On a few occasions, we'd play video games. He was a surprisingly good bowler on the wii. My favorite times were often the simplest. Most evenings we'd get together as a family and watch TV while talking. Even random YouTube videos were more fun with him around. He taught me more than I can express but a few tenets stand out: Work hard, play hard. Find the humor in situations so you don't despair. Be a good friend and family member. Never ever give up on your dreams. Because he never did, we never have to.
Friends are invited to a Celebration of Richard's life. This will be held at the Hilltop Ward Building, 589 E 18th Avenue, Salt Lake City, on Tuesday, April 8 from 6:30-8:30 PM in the Relief Society Room. We hope you can join us.
Guestbook/Condolences
We are so sorry to hear of Dick’s passing. It seems impossible that our years have brought us so far since medical school. We value Dick’s friendship in medicine and our association in a family neighborhood. Please accept our heartfelt sympathies. May you each be blessed with peace in the tender days ahead.
Kent and Marsha Richards
Of all the things there may be to boast about in life, not too many people proudly single out their kidney doctor for honors. Doctor Lambert’s patients did. I don’t know how to determine who is the best nephrologist, but it was easy to single out the one with the brightest sense of humor. His must have thought they were capable of spotting both, as that was the talk we would overhear from them after his morning or evening rounds. With Dr. Lambert we had weighty discussions as to where the soul resided within the body. Some thought the bowel, some thought the heart, most said the brain, but Dr. Lambert insisted the kidneys, and had scriptural backing. Revelations 2:23 …”I am he which searcheth the reins (kidneys)…” I remember him being the target of disparaging remarks only once. A patient we shared accused Dr. Lambert of stealing his purple underwear. We remember him instead for being thoroughly dedicated and patient-centered, and went about life fast in his little Audi TT with love of his family and joy in his—well, kidneys.
Condolences to the Lambert Family. You were blessed to have him.
I’m sending my condolences. Dick and I did some of our early training together and his medical skills and sense of humor will always be remembered by me. He is a simply superb person. Best regards, Ron Larkin