Dr. Cameron W. Lambe

LAMBE, Dr. Cameron W.
Kalamazoo, MI Died Saturday afternoon August 11, 2012 after a courageous battle with cancer. Cameron was born September 26, 1924 in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada a son of William D. and Isabel McLaren Lambe. Cameron and his future wife, Milly Lamb, lived next to each other in Detroit when Cameron was 8 and Milly was 7. Their families became best friends and Cameron and Milly continued to correspond and have brief visits after Milly's family moved to Canada. During WWII, Cameron served with both the U.S. and Canadian Armies. Cameron and Milly were married January 27, 1945, just before Cameron was sent overseas with the Canadian Army. After World War II ended, Cameron and Milly settled in the Detroit area while Cameron attended Wayne State University and received his Bachelor's degree. Cameron taught high school business classes while working on his Master's Degree. Cameron James "Ron", Wendy Christine, and Laurie Jeanne were born to them in Detroit. The family moved to Plymouth, Michigan in 1957 while Cameron continued to commute to Wayne State University to work as a Registrar and to begin work on his Ed.D in Education. In 1962, Cameron got a job at Western Michigan University and the family relocated to Kalamazoo. Cameron retired from Western in 1981 after 19 years, teaching a variety of teacher education classes, being an academic advisor and chairing the Teacher Education Department. He received the Excellence in Teaching Award and also a proclamation from the Michigan Legislature, recognizing his distinguished career in education. Cameron helped to found Kalamazoo Valley Community College and a number of other community colleges in Michigan. He also spent nearly a year in Nigeria helping to establish the records office at the University of Ibadan. He retired as Professor Emeritus. Cameron was a member of Portage Chapel Hill United Methodist Church. He and Milly loved traveling, first tenting across the United States and Canada while the children were growing up, and later traveling to Great Britain, Europe, the Caribbean, Hawaii and Alaska. Cameron and Milly stayed in numerous Elder Hostels over their 30 years of retirement before she died in 2011. Cameron loved telling stories and eventually wrote books about his adventures in the army, at work and in Nigeria. Cameron was an avid Detroit Tigers fan and enjoyed nothing more than spending time with family and friends. After the death of his wife of 66 years, Cameron was fortunate to find a devoted companion in Kay Bevan, who shared the final year of his life, and enjoyed watching Tiger games together. Cameron was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mildred "Milly" M. Lambe on March 14, 2011; and 2 brothers, Donald and Kenneth Lambe. Cameron is survived by three children: Cameron Nicolina, Wendy Asmus Michael, and Laurie DeCoursey Chuck; seven grandchildren: Scott Thompson Alyssa, and Kimberley Bishop Chris, Ryan Asmus, Cathy Andros Alex, Bryan Wilson Marysol, David Lambe Mandy, and Amy Wilson; thirteen great grandchildren: Hannah and Makenna Thompson; Kyah, Kamryn, Lexi and Liza Andros; Alejandro Wilson; Reese and Bryce Lambe; and Hayley, Joshua, and Kristopher McGrath, and Jordan Cody; his devoted companion, Kay Bevan of Portage; a brother-in-law, James Lamb Sheila: 2 sisters-in-law: Lynda Jarman, and Carol Lambe; and several nieces, nephews, and one cousin. Services will be held 11 o'clock Saturday at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 7028 Oakland Dr. with Full Military Honors. Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8pm Friday at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 South 9th St. and from 9:30 to 10:30 prior to the service at the church. Private interment will be at Central Portage Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, Disability Network Southwest Michigan, or Rose Arbor Hospice.