David Keith Lambert

David Keith Lambert, 70, of Manhattan, KS, passed away Monday,  January 30th, 2023 at the Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community where he lived his last 4 months, blessed with stimulating activities and compassionate care. A kind man, he had a quick wit, integrity, and eclectic interests.

David was born in Indianapolis, IN on March 18, 1952, the son of Shirley Lou (Belcher) and William Leslie Lambert. As the child of a career Air Force Officer, Dave lived in five states plus Germany before his family settled in Rocklin, California, where he graduated in 1970 from Roseville High School. He then began his life-long academic career attending UC Davis for his BA and MA in Zoology and Ecology, then continuing to earn his PHD in Agricultural Economics from Oregon State University in 1985.

Passionately working to advance the field of Agricultural Economics, Dave was a research and teaching professor at University of Nevada, North Dakota State University, and Kansas State University, stepping proudly into the role of Department Chair at the latter two. He was a prolific and respected researcher, and was honored to hold positions such as President of the

National Association of Agricultural Economics Administrators, and Editor of the Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics.

While at UC Davis, Dave met his life-long love, Cybil Perkins in 1975. Over the years they first became best friends, then after sharing many memorable adventures, they were married on March 26, 1982, in Cambria,

California — a special place where they returned often. Over their nearly 41 years of marriage, Dave and Cybil enjoyed a rich and varied lifestyle, traveling often as well as living in many beautiful and welcoming places: Corvallis, Oregon; Reno, Nevada; Fargo, North Dakota; and Manhattan, Kansas — in addition to several foreign countries. They were blessed by a son, Tyler

Lambert-Perkins, and an adopted son, Dylan Lambert-Perkins. Dave was enthusiastically involved in all his sons’ academics and many activities.  As a lifelong outdoorsman, Dave was an avid runner, inspiring cyclist, and dedicated swimmer. He competed on tennis, football, and soccer teams. He also loved to backpack, take canoe trips, and ski. He also ran dozens of

marathons well into his 60s, and bicycled across the country and around Europe multiple times.

The same courage, determination, and grace Dave applied to his athletic activities, he applied to his 6 year journey through his rare terminal neurodegenerative disease called Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Dave and Cybil had looked forward to filling their retirement years with bicycle travel around the world, but instead, their journey took an unexpected turn as Dave

faced increasing physical challenges. Though the detour was completely unexpected, it was full of love, humor, and intellectual agility. Dave never lost his quick wit, good nature, and curiosity, even in the face of such an onerous disease.

David is survived by his wife Cybil Perkins, his son Tyler Lambert-Perkins (wife Jennie Seidewand), son Dylan Lambert-Perkins, and sister Leslie Lambert (husband Tom Stringer.)

Please join the family to celebrate Dave’s life on Saturday, March 25, 2:00 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Manhattan, (481 Zeandale Rd, Manhattan, KS,) Pastor Isabel Call will officiate More information, including a Zoom link can be found at https://uufm.net/calendar/david-lambert/ .  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to CurePSP at

PSP.org, or Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Manhattan (481 Zeandale Rd,  Manhattan, KS 66502), or Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, www.railstotrails.org/support-us/