Douglas Parry Lamb

Douglas Parry Lamb was born in New York City, New York on November 21st, 1931, and he died peacefully at home on 18 October 2022. Although he lost his hearing due to a high fever around 1933, his deafness never impaired his contributions to his community and family.

As a child he earned his Boys Scouts’ Eagle Scout and Scout Leader titles, as a young man he alternated semesters of work and college courses until he earned a Bachelor of Science degree Chemical Engineering from renowned Northwestern University. As an adult, Douglas became a chemist with the laundry staple company U.S. Boraxo, and later went on to become the number two man at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Division in Chicago. During his successful 30-year career at the EPA he was awarded the “Man of the Year Award”, and the highest award possible for outstanding performance.

His family agrees that Douglas Lamb embodied high ethical and work standards and integrity. What they remember most about him though was his kindness, quick smiles, thirst for knowledge, and full chested but quiet laughs around the kitchen table and campfire.

His legacy in the field of Chemical Engineering and with the Environmental Protection Agency is eclipsed by the legacy of his love, loyalty, and dedication to Zola Garlene Reid, his bride of 64 years, the adoration and patience he gave to three boys they raised, and the joy he shared with all through the birth of 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. His three sons include Glenn (Alicia) of New Jersey, deceased Brian (Randi) of Illinois, and Steven (Tabetha) currently serving with the Air Force in Germany. His five grandchildren include Erin (Shawn), Jake, Skylar, Jessica and Ryelan, and two great grandchildren, Olivia and Reese. He is also survived by his brother, William (Eileen) Lamb of Plainfield Illinois.

His memory and legacy is a blessing to them all.