Walter Lambert

Lambert, Walter N. – age 87, of Knoxville was born on September 26, 1935 and died on July 28, 2023 at Brookdale Sandy Springs Assisted Living Center, Maryville, where he lived the last year of his life. Walter was the oldest of 8 children of Howard and Anna Lee Lambert. He was a member of Bearden United Methodist Church. He was proud to have served in the United States Air Force. After basic training, he spent a year at Yale learning Mandarin Chinese. After becoming fluent in the language, he served as an interpreter and translator in Taiwan. While there, he developed a love of East Asian food and learned to cook it at the home of a local family. He and his beloved wife, Anne, made many trips to China during their life together. They loved to travel around the world. After he completed his military service, he completed his education at the University of Tennessee with a Doctorate in Political Science. For the next 30 years, he worked in the UT Political Science Department, then as a lobbyist, spending most of his time in Nashville and Washington, DC. He met a few presidents along the way. He also had a key role in bringing the 1982 World’s Fair to Knoxville. Walter did restaurant reviews for the Knoxville News Sentinel under the pseudonym, Will Norman. He and Anne enjoyed eating at local restaurants in the area with family and friends for the reviews. Chef Walter was on WVLT for over 30 years. Meeting fans of the show at local food festivals and cookbook signings was always a delight for him. Walter was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife, Anne, his son, Michael, brothers, David and Ray, and sister, Inez. Walter left happy memories in the hearts of many people. He is survived by granddaughter, Marley & spouse, Tyler Watson; great-grandchildren, Benjamin and Lyla Jane Watson; brothers, Wayne (Susan), Dwayne (Janie), and Steve; sister, Olivia Kay Clarkson; sister-in-law, Wanda Lambert; many nephews, nieces, and their families. The family deeply appreciates the excellent care which Walter received at Brookdale Sandy Springs and by the staff of Amedisys Hospice. Walter made many friends at Brookdale Sandy Springs. Chef Walter loved to cook and feed people. At Walter’s request, the family would appreciate your donating to Manna House at Cokesbury in lieu of flowers. Contributions can be mailed to Manna House, 9915 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37922. The family will receive friends at Rose Funeral and Cremation - Mann on August 5 from 10:00 – 11:30 AM. Funeral Service with Rev. Charles Maynard officiating to follow at 11:30 AM. Interment at Highland Memorial Cemetery at 1:00 PM. Online condolences may be extended at rosefuneraltn.com.

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Walter Lambert

September 26, 1935 - July 28, 2023