Edgar L. "Ted" Lamb Jr.
Jan 25, 1932 -
Jan 12, 2021
It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Edgar L. Lamb Jr. who left us on Jan. 12, 2021, at the age of 88. Ted dealt with COPD and severed aortic stenosis for years, but he always had a very positive approach in life and maintained an active lifestyle.
Ted was born and raised in Rumford, Maine, on Jan. 25, 1932. He attended Dartmouth College in pursuit of a medical career but always held on to his passion of being an Air Force pilot.
In March 1952, Ted joined the U.S. Air Force. He graduated from pilot training in 1954. For the following three years he was a T-28 and B-55 basic flight instructor. Ted left active duty to join Maine Air National Guard in 1957, while attending the University of Maine, where he obtained his major in chemical engineering. In 1963, he volunteered for recall to active duty and was stationed in Nellis AFB where he taught gunnery to foreign Air Force students (MSAP) T-33 and F-86.
In 1965, Ted was assigned as an advisor to a VNAF A-14 Squadron in Danang, Vietnam, and stayed for 18 months. He was then transferred to Saigon, Vietnam, as Stan-Eval advisor to VNAF. Ted resigned from active duty and was released in October 1967.
During Ted's 15 years in service, he was awarded the following medals: Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, National Service Defense Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
In January 1968, Ted joined Air America in Saigon, flying C-45 and C-47. Ted moved to Vientiane, Laos, in June 1968, and flew C-123. In Laos with Air America, Ted met his wife of 50 years, Liengthong L. Lamb, who also worked for Air America on Vientiane Base. They were married at the U.S. Embassy in Laos on Dec. 14, 1970.
In 1971, Ted and his bride moved to the United States and he spent the following three years flying on spraying jobs in 749 Connie and DC-3. He flew B-17 for the forest service on various contracts. They made Alaska their home in 1974, during the trans-Alaska pipeline construction. Ted flew everything from C185s to CV-580s for several bush airlines to include Sea Airmotive and Ryan Air Service. He was the Check Airman, Chief Pilot, General Manager and Director of Operations. While employed, Ted was lucky enough to join the Alaska Air National Guard flying C-123 and C-130 as a Flight Commander. He completed his 20 years of service in 1978, and retired as a Major. Ted retired from working altogether in 2003.
Ted stayed an active member of the Air America Association, Elk's Club, American Legion and the Air Force Cadet Association.
His free time was spent outdoors. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, as well as traveling. Ted was a loving and caring husband to his wife, Liengthong L. Lamb of Wasilla, Alaska; sons, Tom (Carol) Lamb of Michigan, Steven (Lamb) Lynn of California; daughter, Keota L. Talia of Anchorage; sister, Jane (Marvin) Kuchera; three grandsons; six granddaughters; four great-grandsons; and two great-granddaughters. He will be missed dearly by all. He was preceded in death by his father, Edgar L. Lamb Sr.; and mother, Alice W. Lamb.
