Elizabeth Louise "Betty" Lambertson, Col (Usa Retired)

Elizabeth Louise (Betty) Lambertson, COL (USA Retired), of Valdosta, died on Monday, January 13, 2014 at her home at Langdale Place after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's disease. Born in Rochester, NH, December 31, 1928, Betty was the daughter of the late George Dorrington Lambertson, Sr. and Ethel Curtice Lambertson. She spent her childhood days in the small New Hampshire town of New Durham and was a graduate of Spaulding High School, Rochester, NH, where she established a life-long pattern of high achievement. At the graduation of the class of 131 students, she received the Bausch and Lomb Award as the senior who had the highest rank in two or more sciences. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of New Hampshire.

During the early days of college Betty thought about becoming a high school chemistry teacher. Just prior to her senior year, there was a change in plans and everything pointed toward a career as a research chemist. One of her professors introduced her to the relatively new field of Physical Therapy and told her about the course that was offered by the US Army. Everything Betty learned about physical therapy made it seem like a perfect fit – the opportunity to be of service to people using the scientific basis of physical therapy. She applied to and was accepted for the course and the US Army became Betty's "home" for more than 27 years during which she served as a physical therapist clinician, educator, and administrator. In the summer of 1950 she reported to the US Army Medial Field Service School, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX as a second Lieutenant in the Women's Medical Specialist Corps (the name of the Corps was changed during her career to Army Medical Specialist Corps when men were accepted for commissioning in the Corps) and retired as a Colonel in February 1978. Following basic officer's training, Betty entered the US Army's Physical Therapy Course, completing the one year course in September 1951. Betty served as a Staff Physical Therapist at five Army medical facilities and as Chief of the Physical Therapy Section at one installation. Her Officer Efficiency Reports reflect outstanding performance in each of these assignments. In 1964 following that tour of duty as Chief, Physical Therapy Section, Ireland Army Hospital, Fort Knox, KY she entered the US Army/Baylor University Program in Hospital Administration and in 1966 received a master's degree from Baylor University, Completion of study for a master's degree brought fulfillment of her dream to be a teacher when she was assigned as Educational Coordinator/Instructor at the US Army Physical Therapy Course, Medical Field Service School, Fort Sam Houston, TX. Betty spent seven years teaching and during the latter part of the assignment a combination of teaching and administration as Director of what was by then the US Army/Baylor University Program in Physical Therapy. As attested to by many of her students, she used the red pen in a caring manner. She demonstrated concern for the quality of preparation of students and for the development of students as individuals; many of these individuals would later make their own contributions to the US Army and to the profession of physical therapy. Betty's final assignment was not specific to physical therapy' she served four years as Chief, Army Medical Specialist Corps in the Office of the Surgeon General, Department of the Army, Washington, DC. In this position she was responsible for management of the affairs pertaining to physical therapists, occupational therapists and dieticians who made up the Corps and served as consultant to the Army Surgeon General. When this assignment was nearing the end, Col Lambertson received the Distinguished Service Medal "for exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility." There were many other awards along the way; this was fitting closure for her military career.

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) had been Betty's preferred denomination since the mid-1960's. She served faithfully in local churches and nationally. She served on the Church Board at Central Church, San Antonio, TX from 1968-1973, Chairman of the Board 1970-1972 and on the Board of Elders 1972-1973. Betty was a member of the First Christian Church, Falls Church, VA 1974-1977 where she was a member of the Board of Elders 1975-1977. While a member at Falls Church, Betty was awarded the Four Chaplains Legion of Honor Membership by the Chapel of Four Chaplains, Philadelphia, PA; the award was "…in recognition of outstanding services to all the people regardless of race or faith." Following her retirement from the US Army, Betty was a member of Valley Christian Church and First Christian Church, Birmingham, AL. As a member of Valley Christian Church she served on the Board of Elders and on the Church Board. In addition to her service in local churches, she served on the national level. Betty served on the Board of Directors, Pension Fund 1978-1987 and then 1988-1994 she served on the Commission on Finance, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Indianapolis IN. Currently she is a member of First Christian Church, Valdosta, GA.

Betty has been a member of the professional organization, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), from her days as a physical therapy student until the present. She actively supported the APTA with attendance at national meetings and at local Chapter meetings. She served on the Judicial Committee of the APTA 1979-1984 and chairman of that Committee 1982-1983. Betty also served as an On-Site Evaluator of education programs that were being evaluated for accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education; she served as a Team Member and as Team Leader. She also served as a delegate to the House of Delegates two different years and in various appointed and elected positions in state Chapters of Association. At the annual national conference of the association in 1987, Betty received the Lucy Blair Service Award. The presentation of the award included the following statement: "The quality of her service is unquestionably high and there seems to be no end to her energy and willingness to serve."

Betty was a founding member of two organizations that held special significance for her during her years of retirement: Alumni Association – US Army Entry Level Programs for the Physical Therapist and Retired Army Medical Specialist Corps Association (RAMSCA). In addition to serving in various appointed and elected positions for both of these organizations, she served as Editor of the RAMSCA NEWS 1983 – 1988 and Editor of the Memberships Update/Fall Newsletter for the Alumni Association 1983- 1990.

The above paragraphs include many facts about the highlights of Betty's life. There are several threads that run throughout the facts. Among these, Betty possessed an innate capacity for serving others. She set high standards for her performance and had the work ethic to achieve high quality outcomes. Her caring nature and endearing smile cannot be forgotten. Betty has friends in all areas of the country, friendships that grew through those many years with the US Army, friendships were formed in service to her church, and friendships that emerged from activities with her professional organization. Betty will be deeply missed by members of her family and her many friends.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents; her only sibling- brother George Dorrington Lambertson, Jr.; and two nieces, Marie Lambertson Lopez and Sharon Lambertson Nelson. Survivors include a niece, Kathleen Lambertson Dutton (husband, Robert); three nephews, George Dorrington Lambertson II (wife, Jill); David Clarke Lambertson (wife, Laura); Michael Curtice Lambertson (wife, Holli); seven grandnieces; one grandnephew,; one great-grandniece, one great-grandnephew; and her devoted friend and companion of over 30 years, Dorothy (Dot) Pinkston, PhD, COL (USA Retired).

Memorial services will be held on Friday, January 17, 2014, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of the Carson McLane Funeral Home. Reverend Chris Michael will officiate. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 1 p.m. until service time. Memorials gifts may be made to your charity of choice or to the Pension Fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 130 East Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Condolences may be conveyed to the family at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home


Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602