HAROLD M. LAMB
CAMDEN…………………………………..Harold Moore Lamb—Retired USN Captain, husband, father, community leader, and sailor —died of natural causes at age 93 on October 26, 2016. ​ Harold’s infectious enthusiasm for adventures, challenges, and achievements gave rise to a full well-shared life, leaving behind endearing and lasting memories for his family and friends. He will be remembered for his action oriented approach to life--when he saw a problem he found a way to fix it.
“He was such a can-do person.” said his longtime friend, Allen Fernald. “He volunteered his many skills and talents, even his love for physical construction, to so many projects. He was a humorous daredevil that inspired us all.”
Born and raised in Annapolis, MD, Harold was the son of Naval Academy math professor Reginald Lamb and Ruby Moore Lamb. Harold met his future wife, Barbara Thomson, as a 4 year old in Sunday school, and they grew up across the street from each other, sharing childhood friends and families for their entire lives. His parents instilled a lifelong love of outdoor adventure and community service. As a teenager, Harold spent summers helping his parents build a YMCA youth camp on the wooded shores of the Chesapeake Bay. One of his fondest memories was a bicycle trip through pre-war Europe at the age of 14 with his older brother, R.C., and his father. His spirit of adventure led him to learn to fly at an early age and he loved to buzz the skies around Annapolis in his early twenties.
Harold followed R.C. to the US Naval Academy, as part of the Class of 1945. His class graduated early in 1944, fulfilling Harold’s intense desire to serve in World War II. Harold and Barbara were married in 1949. Together they had six children, and moved many times during his 30 year navy career. A decorated naval officer in three wars—WWII, Korea, and Vietnam—he embraced his many tours aboard ships, especially his time as captain of three of those ships. In 1954 he attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, earning a master’s degree in the fledgling field of Operations Analysis, a crucial area of expertise during later shore tours in his Naval career. He served and commanded aboard many different types of naval ships. He loved destroyers the most, especially his tour as a “Tin Can” skipper of the USS “Lowry”, DD 770 in 1964. His last tour of duty was as commanding officer of the University of Missouri NROTC. Harold retired from the Navy in 1974.
As a father of six, lifelong sailor, outdoorsman, and avid environmentalist, Harold led the family and Scout troops on many sailing, canoeing, and backpacking trips all over the US. In 1976, Harold and Barbara sold their home and moved on board their 40 foot sailboat, “Taneek”. Taking their three youngest children out of school, they sailed the East Coast and through the Bahamas together. After a year of cruising, the Lamb family moved ashore in Camden, Maine in 1977. They soon bought a second smaller “Taneek”, sailing the Maine Coast every summer until age 90.
Harold’s first retirement project upon moving to Camden was to build a passive solar home, designed by his architect brother Charlie Lamb. Though it took several years for Harold to complete, he was very proud of his do-it-yourself “perfect retirement home”. Their beautiful home has served as a family gathering place for over a generation’s worth of happy Christmases, Thanksgivings, Easters, and summer vacations.
Harold and Barbara joined Camden Congregational Church in 1977 and Harold served in a number of leadership positions at the church. He was credited with many improvements to the church’s physical facility. Harold loved to cook- Harold’s signature split pea soup will be sorely missed at the Church’s “Soup Kitchen” lunch. In addition to his church roles, Harold was a founding board member of Mid-coast Habitat for Humanity and the Coastal Mountain Land Trust, and a past commodore of the Rockport Boat Club.
In 1992, at the age of 69, Harold and Barbara joined the Peace Corps. They served for 2 years in the remote mountains of Papua New Guinea, Harold teaching basic construction and carpentry skills while Barbara taught public health. Harold loved the people of Papua New Guinea, and was honored to have several parents name their sons after him.
Above all, Harold’s greatest joy in life was his family and it revolved around his true love and soul mate, Barbara, his wife of 67 years. He treasured gatherings and adventures with his children--Harold Lamb, Jr. (Lisa), William Lamb (who predeceased him), Brian Lamb (Cate, predeceased), Daniel Lamb Mary Lamb Nehring (Dan), and Jennifer Lamb Bolster (Mark). He adored his 9 grandchildren and relished using his carpentry skills to build cradles and toys for them.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1PM on Saturday, November 12, 2016 at the First Congregational Church UCC, 55 Elm St., Camden with the Rev. Dr. Deb Jenks officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to two the Shields Mission Project, c/o First Congregational Church, 55 Elm St., Camden, ME 04843 or to Mid-Coast Habitat for Humanity, 799 West Street, Rockport, ME. 04856. Condolences and memories may be shared with the Lamb family at www.longfuneralhomecamden.com. Arrangements are with the Long Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 9 Mountain Street, Camden.

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