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South County Scene:
Boeing loses 'An Amazing Man'
2003-08-01
by Mary Swift
Journal Columnist
* Honoring Clyde --
At 68, Clyde Lambert boasts a solid work ethic and a steadfast determination to make the best of life.
He's a proud homeowner, recently retired after 14 years in the wire shop at Boeing, first at the Renton plant, more recently in Everett.
And, in keeping with his persona -- a kind man with a good heart and a generous spirit -- he boasts a host of friends.
On Thursday, they gathered in Renton to honor him and celebrate his retirement.
That all may seem very ordinary except for one thing: Clyde Lambert faced challenges most people don't.
Born in Indiana and raised in Yakima, he was 7 when a head injury suffered in a car accident changed his life forever. The accident left him developmentally disabled. His parents raised and cared for him. His father died and his mother kept on caring for him.
Then, with her health deteriorating, his mother sent Clyde to live at Rainier School in Buckley.
He was 30 years old.
She died soon after and for the next 22 years Clyde called Rainier home.
Then, a Renton-based nonprofit organization called Puget Sound Residential Services entered Clyde's life. The organization helps developmentally disabled people live independently, providing various support services.
Clyde left Rainier School and moved into an apartment of his own. PSRS staff members provided regular daily help for Clyde. Sometime later, Danny Stacey, a friend from Rainier School, joined Clyde in the apartment.
Fourteen years ago, Clyde found work at Boeing through a private nonprofit company called CARES. Among its various programs is one that helps developmentally disabled people find and maintain employment.
Clyde, who his family says has always been frugal, saved his money. A few years later, he bought a condo. He and Danny moved in with Danny paying rent. Then, just a few years ago, he sold the condo and used the equity to buy his own house. He rents rooms to Danny and another disabled man. PSRS provides around-the-clock supervision, helping the residents with everything from shopping to money management and transportation.
Clyde, who doesn't drive, used public transportation to get to and from work.
That posed a huge hurdle last fall when the wire shop where he worked was moved to Everett. Each morning, Clyde would get up at 2:30 a.m. to get ready, catch a cab at 4:30 to catch a bus in Renton to downtown Everett.
He didn't particularly like the commute.
But he loved his job, said his niece Raylene Jones.
Alice Savannah, Clyde's wire shop supervisor, agreed. ``Sometimes I'd have potlucks for special recognitions,'' she told about 60 people who gathered at River View Park in Renton to celebrate Clyde's retirement. ``Sometimes I'd let things run a few minutes over. He'd be sitting there watching his watch. He didn't want it to run into work time.''
By the same token, she said, if she called a meeting just before break and it threatened to run over, he'd give her the same knowing look as he glanced at his watch. ``He was my gatekeeper,'' she said, laughing at the memory. ``He was very dependable, very task-oriented, very scheduled and just a very nice person.''
Clyde liked working so much that he often didn't take his full vacation.
But Boeing cuts have taken their toll on a lot of people. Last May, Clyde and two other disabled men working in the wire shop got their layoff notices. Clyde, who had been talking about retirement from time to time, decided that it is what he will do.
Maybe -- because Joe Thull, one of the PSRS staff members who works with Clyde and Clyde's housemates, say Clyde doesn't think Boeing is going to be able to get along without him. ``Since he's been in retirement, he's been waiting for them to call him. He's sure the company can't continue without him,'' Thull said, smiling.
But then, if Boeing ever did come calling, the company might find that Clyde is still plenty busy.
He loves to read. Sometimes he talks too fast for many people to understand. To slow himself down, he practices reading. He attends church and belongs to a Wednesday morning Bible study group. He also loves drawing animals, playing his keyboard, fishing, going to the gym and being with his large extended family.
That family involvement has been one of the real blessings in Clyde's life said PSRS director Chad Higman.
Maple Valley's Marcia Lambert, who is Clyde's niece by marriage, says Clyde has been a blessing to the family. ``He's good with kids,'' she said. ``When we have a family get together he'll sit and whistle. The kids will sit with him and he'll read to them. They love that.''
On Thursday, Clyde got plenty of things to help him remember the celebration of his retirement.
Among them: a book on Renton history and a plaque.
There was also a special gift from Doug Stauffer, a program manager for CARES.
He told this story: On the day of the last big earthquake, Clyde was at lunch when it happened. He'd finished his sandwich, Stauffer said, and was doing what he usually did in the remaining time -- reading. ``The earthquake happened and everyone started diving under their desks, yelling at Clyde, `Get under the desk, Clyde,''' Stauffer said. ``He just kept reading.''
He gave Clyde a book -- and a hard hat so he doesn't have to worry about interrupting his reading for the next quake.
PSRS's Higman called Clyde ``quite a success story. ``It's amazing to think of a guy who's spent a long time in an institution, who comes out and is able to go to work, and buys a condo, and then buys a house and is able to provide housing for two other people,'' he said.
Credit Clyde's determination, those who know him said. Credit PSRS, CARES, The Boeing Co. and the others who collaborated to help him, Raylene Jones said. ``He's an amazing man,'' she said. ``But they're amazing, too.''
South County Scene is written by Mary Swift and appears Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Call 253-872-6672 or e-mail mary.swift@king countyjournal.com.
All materials Copyright © 2003 Horvitz Newspapers, Inc.
Any questions? See our contact page.
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CARES of Washington - Center For Administering Rehabilitation and Employment Services
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