Service Information
Roger “Rocky” Lambert, age 67, of Hutchinson, Minnesota, passed away on Friday, September 18, 2020, at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.
Private Family Funeral and Graveside Service will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2020.
Public Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Military Honors by the Hutchinson Memorial Rifle Squad.
Memorials preferred to Hutchinson Memorial Rifle Squad and Gopher Campfire Conservation Club.
Obituary
Roger “Rocky” Lynn Lambert entered this world on January 3, 1953, the son of Fred and Gladys (Allison) Lambert. Roger was baptized and confirmed at Vineyard Methodist Church in Hutchinson. He was a 1971 graduate of Hutchinson High School where he played football and wrestled and then went on to attend Vermillion Community College in Ely, Minnesota.
Being the lucky guy he was, he received a low draft number in 1972. Because the Army recruiter wasn’t in his office, he was persuaded by the Navy recruiter to join them. He served during the Vietnam War as a firefighter and steamfitter on the USS Newport (LST 1179) and was honorably discharged in 1978 as a second-class Petty Officer.
After a whirlwind romance, Roger married Connie Schaefer on September 29, 1979, at Peace Lutheran Church. Son, Thomas, came along in 1983 and daughter, Robin, in 1985. Roger worked at 3M Company as a journeyman pipefitter/steamfitter for 38 years, retiring in 2009. In 2011, Rocky received the gift of a kidney from Joleen Nowak who gave him almost another 10 years of life. He laughed about becoming part Polish after the transplant. How blessed he was.
Every day was a new day for Rocky. He loved to tell stories and made work, marriage, and parenting a daily adventure. He had a wide range of hobbies which included hunting, fishing (25 years at the Neubarth fishing classic), cooking, researching family history, and snowmobiling. Over the years he went on many hunting trips, including trips to Newfoundland to hunt caribou, northern Minnesota to shoot moose, Montana to hunt elk and Blue Earth, Minnesota to hunt turkeys. He enjoyed the family cabin on Lake Erie every summer and also his hunting land in St. Louis County where he spent most of November looking for the "big one" and enjoying the beauty of the land.
He was very involved in the community. Rocky was a member of Gopher Campfire (President), VFW Post 906 (Commander), Military Order of the Cooties Pup Tent 65 (Seam Squirrel), Hutchinson Memorial Rifle Squad, American Legion Post 96, the 40 & 8, DAV, 3M Club (President) and Peace Lutheran Church where he ushered and served as a trustee. He did a lot of cooking for these organizations and catered for parties, wild game dinners, fish fries, steak fries and anywhere else someone wanted good food. He even won a few tall-tale contests at Gopher. Bet he’s busy telling a few tall tales now!
Roger believed in conservation and passing on his knowledge to the next generation. He was a firearm safety instructor for many years and chaperoned several church youth trips to the Boundary Waters and New Orleans.
Rocky also loved his animals, his current dog BB and his beloved Irish Setters, Bridget and Mac. He even came to love his kitties, Wheezer, Skunky and Puff who made him laugh every day.
And, he had many, many human friends, too, who he loved to tell stories to.
Rocky departed this place on Friday, September 18, 2020, at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, at the age of 67.
Roger is survived by his:
Wife, Connie Lambert of Hutchinson, MN;
Children, Tom Lambert and his wife, Tasha, of Hutchinson, MN,
Robin Loreti and her husband, Mario, of Hurley, WI;
Sister, Pat Lambert of Silver Lake, MN;
Many other relatives and friends.
Roger was preceded in death by his Parents, Fred and Gladys Lambert; Father and Mother-in-law, Lloyd and Margaret Schaefer; Honorary Family Member, Harvey Homan.
Mary Konerza says
My sympathy to you, Connie, and your family on the loss of Rocky. I will always remember his jokes, laugh, and his cooking talents. He will truly be missed by many. He was a remarkable man. Mary Konerza Hugs and prayers for all of you!
Kathy & Harry Berghuis says
So sorry for your loss!
Jan Johnson says
Connie and family,so sorry to hear about Rocky. He’s going to be missed by many! Love and prayers to you and your family.
Love the picture, that’s the Rocky we all know and love!
Roxanne Pulkrabek says
My condolences Connie and the Lambert Family. He fought the good fight and finally is at peace.
Stacy Hammer says
So sorry to hear this Connie. We’re keeping you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Linda Kuhl says
Our sympathies to you, Connie , Tom and Tasha, and Robin. May Gid grant you strength and peace in the days ahead.
Kevin & Gloriann Heikes says
His pain is over and he is in a better place. God bless Connie and family as they deal with their loss.
Oats Martin says
Sorry for your loss, God bless you and the kids.
Richard Karl says
Connie, Tom, Robin and families our heartfelt sympathy to you. We will always remember the great laughs and fun we had at the CB&T get togethers. Rocky had a infectious smile and was always so full of life. Much love and hugs to you all! Love, Rick & Bonnie
Shane says
My deepest sympathies go out to Connie, Tom, Robin and the Lambert Family. I hope good memories will offer some comfort during this time. Sincerely, Shane Walquist & family.
Hart and Barb Rosebrock says
Connie we were so saddened to hear of Rocky’s passing. He was always a happy go lucky gentleman. You and your family are in out thoughts and prayers.
Mariah Morgan says
Oh cousin Roger, you will be greatly missed! Many memories of you over the years when I’d visit MN. A wonderful man! My love and prayers to Connie and the kids.
Steve and Verlyce French says
Connie and Family,
Sympathy to you and your family. There are many good and fun memories of working with Rocky in the Maintenance Department.
He will be missed by many people.
Melissa Lietzau says
Hi Connie and family,
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Rocky. Rocky is one of my dad’s best friends and his passing will be difficult for him I think, as it will be for so many. Most of my friends thought Rocky was my uncle. I remember Rocky’s larger than life laugh and his voice being heard from a long way away at the Gopher Campfire point…followed by a roar of laughter. How Rocky could remember so many jokes and stories word-for-word from memory was beyond me! I also remember all of his fuzzy hats. He brought all of them up north once in a big black trash bag: skunk hat with the tail in the front, fox hat, etc. and everybody in the establishment took turns wearing them and being silly. I also remember Rocky and my dad dressing alike without even trying and them discussing which one was going to change into something else and one time they called each other before a VFW event to ask “So what are you wearing?”. After a lot of reflection, I realize I’ve known Rocky my entire life and his passing will leave an emptiness in me. I am thankful to have so many great memories. He was a great person that will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Pam Ramsay says
Heartfelt sympathy to you Connie and your family. As a double cousin, Roger was like a brother to me. He will be greatly missed, he taught me so much about my family roots. His smile and the joy he brought to all will stay with me forever.
Pamela Eastridge says
Deep sympathy to you all! May your memories of past help you through your grief.
Many hugs! From the Eastridge family
Tom Tews says
I have known Roger since 1953. He was born January 3 late P.M. and I was born January 4 early A.M. He was always a good friend and had a joke or story to lift your spirits. He will be missed but not forgotten. So sorry for your loss Connie, and family.
Paul and Barbara Otte says
Dear Connie, Tom, and Robin, Our sympathies and prayers are with you as you mourn for Roger. He was always a cheerful, faithful, and good friend to me and I will miss him. He remained faithful to his Lord and courageous in his long and difficult illness. You know that he is with God in heaven, free from all pain and full of joy. God be with you.
Lynn Zimmerman says
So sorry for your loss Connie, Tom and Robin.
AJ & Jessica Forcier Family says
Sorry for your loss, our thoughts are with your family.
Jo Reck says
Dear Connie, Tom, and Robin~
I am so very sorry for your loss…those words seem so inadequate, however. A truly great guy has left us, and his bigger than life personality will surely be missed. His jokes, his laughter. his love of all things outdoors…those are the things I will remember! So many fun memories from Gopher Campfire, and such delicious food he prepared out there…he was most definitely one of a kind. All of his friends will truly miss him, myself included. Fly high Rocky! Until we meet again~ Jo
THOMAS W CONDON SR says
I remember roger from living on ash street I was a couple of years younger and treated kids all the same and was happy to hear my niece Tasha married into your family may God bless all of you
Craig and Bernadette Rasmussen says
So sorry to hear about your loss.
Your whole family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Craig and Bernadette