Obituary of Richard W. Lamp

Richard Walter Lamp, 88, passed away on May 30, 2016. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he resided in Newbury, NH - and was formerly a long time Mendham, NJ resident. An identical twin, Dick and brother Jack were in cahoots from a young age. He attended Purdue University, recruited on scholarship for football. His college years were disrupted by being drafted into the Army for WWII; he was about to deploy to the Pacific when the war ended. He returned to Purdue, was President of Delta Upsilon Fraternity and graduated with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. After college he was drafted for the Korean War - which brought him to Fort Monmouth and New Jersey, where he met Jean, his wife of 58 years. An avid athlete and competitor - he was President of Mendham Golf and Tennis Club - back in the era when members invested sweat equity into the club - he painted paddle courts, shoveled snow and even loaned money to make payroll one year. Winner of many tournaments in Golf, Tennis and Paddle - he was renowned on the court for a nasty slice (dink) shot. Dick worked in wire product manufacturing and held several patents. After retirement - he and wife Jean moved to New Hampshire. He spent hours skiing, golfing, refinishing furniture, tooling leather and special projects - He was a fixture on the sidelines of his grandchildren's games. Always a practical joker, he will be known for his funny comments and malapropism. Great with children, he often donned a Santa Suit and visited friends’ homes on Christmas Eve – “Merry Ho Ho Ho!” – was his favorite line. Dick was a most generous man of good heart - he will be sorely missed. Son of Emma Weigel Lamp and Walter Lamp, Dick was predeceased by his three siblings Carl Lamp, Katherine Lamp Lindsay, and John "Jack" Lamp - his twin and best friend. He was the loving husband of Jean Roy Lamp and father of Wendy Lamp Potter, Mendham, and James Roy Lamp (Laurie) of Bedford, New Hampshire. And, he was the favorite "Papa" of grandchildren Stewart Potter, Caroline Potter, Curtis Lamp, Barrett Lamp, Emmie Lamp and Griffin Lamp. Visitation will be Friday, June 3rd from 5-8pm at the Bailey Funeral Home in Mendham. The funeral will be at Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church, Saturday, June 4 at 11am. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Mendham Borough First Aid Squad, P.O. Box 131,Mendham, NJ 07945.