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We fuel progress around the world.
Running
RIGHT
means doing the right things for safety—every day.
Sen. Benny Lambert:
The Ultimate Servant Leader
By Ralph L. “Bill” Azselle, Jr.
Our Richmond area and the
Commonwealth recently lost Dr. Benjamin
J. Lambert, III, who was one of our most
positive influences for many decades. While
no words can fully express the many ways
Benny made our part of the world a better
place, I will try. I departed his funeral with a
number of impressions and a renewed sense
of the real purpose of our lives.
The tributes and presence of current and
former Governors, United States Senators
and Benny’s colleagues, like me, from his many years in the Virginia
General Assembly, both Republicans and Democrats alike, were
evidence of his exemplary service to the Commonwealth and the
respect in which he was held. The sizeable presence of the “Virginia
Union family” reflected his love of Virginia Union on whose Board
he served for 41 years with distinction and the respect of the Virginia
Union family.
The presence of members of the many business and community
organizations on which Benny served during his life were witness
to the expanse of his having made this a better Richmond area and
Virginia. The size and diversity of the attendees from all aspects of
Benny’s life were a great tribute to this wonderful man.
By the end of the service, I was left with other lasting impressions.
One was the breadth and depth of respect everyone had for Benny
who helped so many people in so many ways…not just as a physician,
legislator, board member, but in a personal one-on-one way. Benny
respected and helped everyone whenever he could. He left this world
with our unlimited respect because of the respect he displayed every
day to everyone.
Another revolved around family. Benny’s parents were premiere
caterers in the Richmond area for many years and they raised good
children who became doctors, business executives and, of course, a
good lawyer, each of whom developed a strong work ethic helping their
parents in the catering business. I have had the pleasure of knowing
each of them and they all are, simply put, very good people. The
Lamberts are one of the first families of Richmond.
Benny and Carolyn shared an equal commitment to each other
and their family of four children and four grandchildren. Some of their
children and grandchildren spoke and provided the most touching and
telling witness of Benny’s life. The love within the family is real and it
is the ultimate tribute to Benny and Carolyn.
My wife, Anne, tells the story that epitomizes Benny. Anne went
into Franco’s one Christmas season years ago and found Franco
advising Benny that he really should buy Carolyn a full-length fur coat.
Franco had Anne “model” the coat during which she told Benny that
the coat was “perfect for Carolyn” and Carolyn would “love it!” Benny
made the purchase and was walking out with the coat in a long box
when he smiled at Anne that wonderful smile and chuckled “I just came
in here to buy a dress, but I know Carolyn will love it.” Carolyn did and
when Anne spoke with Carolyn after Christmas, Carolyn confessed
that when she saw the long box under the tree her first thought was a
disappointed “Benny has bought me a new ironing board!” She loved
the coat. As always, Benny showed his love.
The service also reinforced what I already knew…Benny Lambert
was one of the nicest and most decent people I have ever known…and
his primary distinction was what he did for his family and the example
he set for all of us who are too often consumed with our careers and
other activities. He illustrated that at the end of your life, the most
Lambert
important legacy one can leave is all about your family and friends.
Benny was blessed and he has left both his family and friends truly
blessed by him.
In the totality of his life, Benny was the ultimate servant leader.
Retired Delegate Ralph L. “Bill” Axselle, Jr. served with Mr. Lambert
in the Virginia General Assembly and is currently an attorney with
Williams Mullen. Contact him at:
804.420.6405.
In Memoriam
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