Paul C. Lambert '46, P'76,'81, GP'13,'29, former Hotchkiss trustee and lifelong friend of the School, died peacefully at his home in New York City on Jan. 2, 2026, at age 97. He is survived by his wife, Mary, of 70 years, his children, Jennifer P’13, John ’81, P’29, and Mary, and his grandchildren, Emily, Alex ’13, Annika, Hanna, Siri, and Charlotte ’29. He was predeceased by his brother Joseph ’42 and his son Chris ’76. Hotchkiss’s annual Lambert Lecture series, which brings writers of prose and poetry to campus, was established by Paul and Mary in Chris’s memory.

Paul was born on March 14, 1928, in New York City to Lorena and Prall Lambert of Middletown, NJ. He graduated from the Rumson Country Day School in 1942, The Hotchkiss School in 1946, Yale University in 1950, and Harvard Law School in 1953.

He entered Hotchkiss as a prep in September 1942. During his four years at the School, he became well-known to his classmates and faculty members as an accomplished and active student. He engaged himself wholeheartedly in School life, taking advanced courses and playing on the football, basketball, and baseball teams. He was co-captain of the basketball team and captain of the baseball team. He served as president of St. Luke’s Society, chairman of the LIT, and treasurer of his class for two terms. At graduation, he was president of the Student Council and winner of the Treadway Prize. The class poll named him the student who had done the most for Hotchkiss and was most influential, most likely to succeed, most versatile, most popular, and best athlete.

After serving as an Army intelligence officer from 1953 to 1955, he began his trusts and estates practice with the law firm of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley and McCloy. He was a partner at Whitman Breed Abbott & Morgan from 1966 to 1990, where he chaired the Trust and Estates Department for many years. He ended his law career at McLaughlin & Stern. From 1990 to 1992, he served as the U.S. ambassador to Ecuador.

Paul served on numerous boards that reflected his passion for education, health, and classical music. He was a board member for the National Society for the Prevention of Blindness, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the Brearley School, and The Hotchkiss School. He also served as the chairman of the Board of Governors of the Association of Yale Alumni and a member of the Yale Development Board. In recognition of his service to Yale University, he was awarded the Yale Medal in 1988.

Following the same path of enthusiastic involvement in Hotchkiss life that he demonstrated as a student, Paul led the School’s annual giving program for several years. He served as president of the Alumni Association and as a Hotchkiss trustee from 1973 to 1981. In 1996, he headed the 50th reunion fundraising for his class and represented the Class of 1946 at the dedication of the William C. Fowle Gymnasium.

Paul and Mary established the P. Christopher Lambert Jr. ’76 Fund at Hotchkiss in 1981 in memory of their son, Chris, who died in 1979. The fund brings writers of prose and poetry to Hotchkiss to work with students in the English Department and offer an evening lecture for the community. Recent Lambert Lecturers include U.S. poet laureate Ada Limón, award-winning poet and essayist Ross Gay, and Edward Hirsch.

“Dad truly loved Hotchkiss,” his son, John, wrote. “The legacy of the Lambert Speaker Series also turned what was a tragic life event into something inspiring and beautiful. Hotchkiss changed his life.”

Paul loved both state and national politics, relishing thoughtful discussion and spirited disagreement alike. He was a member of the Executive Committee of the New York State Republican Party from 1983 to 1990 and served as a Steering Committee and Finance Committee member of the 1988 George Bush for President election campaign. He was a member of the New York Delegation to the Republican National Conventions in 1984, 1988, and 1992.

Paul had a deep love and appreciation for sports and the outdoors. He was a lifelong Yankees fan. One of his fondest memories was playing shortstop for Yale in the 1948 College World Series. Tennis was a passion that he enjoyed playing well into his 80s. He was a singles and doubles Club champion at Seabright Lawn Tennis & Cricket Club. He also loved boating on the Navesink River and hiking and skiing on many family trips to the mountains.

Paul was hard-working with a quick wit and a host of jokes and card tricks for his grandchildren. He was loved by his family and many friends in New York and New Jersey. His work ethic, tenacity, humor, and loyalty were an inspiration to many, and he will be deeply missed.