Dr. Ruth Kirschstein, NIH acting director, sits beside Dr. John E. Chapman last week before delivering the lecture in honor of the former dean of the Medical School. (photo by Anne Rayner)
A great contributor to science and a generous philanthropist to Vanderbilt University Medical Center died recently. George C. Lamb Jr., died of cancer April 3 at Duke University Medical Center. He was 75.
Lambís financial support to Vanderbilt made possible the Elizabeth B. Lamb Center, named for his wife Pat. The Lamb Center is an interdisciplinary pediatric infectious diseases research unit focused on virology research and scientific training.
“George was a true visionary,” said Dr. Terence S. Dermody, associate professor of Pediatrics and assistant professor of Microbiology and Immunology and Director of the Elizabeth B. Lamb Center. “He believed strongly in service to others and espoused a leadership philosophy based on a commitment to giving back to the community. We appreciate immensely what he and Pat have done for Vanderbilt. George was a wonderful man.”
A New York Times obituary tells of Lamb’s 32-year tenure with the United Parcel Service. He started as a shop clerk, logging addresses, and retired as chief executive in 1984.
He is survived by his wife, Pat; two sons, George of Dallas and William of Atlanta; two daughters, Claire Solley of Alpharetta, Ga., and Margaret Lamb of Chatham, Mass.; six grandchildren; and his sister, Sally Rigby.