Bob Lambert joined the Army in September 1966 and went through basic training at Fort Polk, La. He then attended the Primary Helicopter Training School at Fort Wolters, Tex. and Advanced Helicopter Training Facility at Fort Rucker, Ala., before being sent to Vietnam.

He served as a helicopter pilot with the 129th Assault Helicopter Company of the Second Battalion of the First Aviation Brigade at Lane Army Airfield near Qui Nhon, Vietnam from October 1967 to October 1968. The main mission of the 129th was to support the Tiger Division of the South Korean Army whose headquarters was also located at Lane Army Airfield. He logged over 1200 combat flight hours while in Vietnam.

Upon returning to the United States, he was assigned to the Primary Helicopter Training School at Fort Wolters, Tex. as an instructor pilot until his discharge in February 1970.

After returning home to St. Peter, Minnesota, he attended Mankato State College, where he received a bachelor's in Recreation and Park Administration, while serving as St. Peter’s first Recreation Director. He then attended University of Oregon where he received his master's in Recreation and Park Management, becoming the Park and Recreation Director in Cottage Grove, Minn. for four years. Bob was the Park and Recreation Director in Eden Prairie for 29 years, retiring in 2007.