ORL staff grieves for RD

Amy Frye
Published: Thursday, January 9, 2003

Residents and staff on the Hill are mourning the loss of Gerald Lamb, Resident Director of Hedrick Hall, who was better known as “G-Love” by friends and co-workers because of his optimistic personality and passion for life. Lamb was 35.

“Gerald very much enjoyed life, and always had a smile on his face,” said Suzanne Seplow, director of the Office of Residential Life.

The Office of Residential Life staff was informed Tuesday of Lamb’s passing, after they reported him missing to UCPD last Friday when he failed to show up for work that day.

His death has not been confirmed by police, but a letter was passed out to Hedrick residents last night informing them of Lamb’s unexpected passing in Tijuana, Mexico.

According to the letter, UCPD and U.S. officials are working with officials in Mexico, and more information will be shared when it is made available to ORL. The remaining residence halls will be informed of Lamb’s death separately.

Coworkers and friends are shocked and deeply saddened over the loss of a man described as happy, calming, easygoing and energetic.

“No one has a bad memory of Gerald,” said Tere Valenzuela, RD of Hitch suites, and Lamb’s co-worker of 2 1/2 years.

“He was well-respected, well-liked and very much a valuable member of the team,” Seplow said.

Samuel B. Djedjro, Lamb’s direct supervisor as North Area Director, said in a letter, “He carried a warmth and joy into his work ... and could be counted on for unique and poignant observations.”

Djedjro also described Lamb as “a kid in an adult’s body,” noting his love for practical jokes and laughs.

Lamb began his career at UCLA in January of 1996, working as an RD for Dykstra Hall and Delta Terrace before he assumed his most recent position. He also ran the summer session program in Rieber Hall and Saxon.

He instituted such programs as karaoke competitions in order to give first-year students the opportunity to get to know each other.

Lamb also took part in the academic side of student growth, co-teaching a Sept. 11 seminar, “Fictions of Terror vs. Real Terror,” with English Professor Frederick Burwick.

About his interaction with students Lamb said, “I enjoy seeing the ‘connection’ (students) make either through self-exploration or behavior modification,” in a 1999 Daily Bruin article.

Though RDs live on campus and interact with their coworkers around the clock, Valenzuela said Lamb was able to maintain a life outside of work and was a very private person with a few close friends.

“We all knew we could count on him,” she said, adding that the staff is already affected greatly by Lamb’s passing.

“If we’re upset, the students are going to be affected,” Valenzuela said.

ORL has planned a meeting next Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Hedrick fireside lounge in order to help students deal with Lamb’s death. Student Psychological Services has also been made available to assist residents.

ORL has been in touch with Lamb’s family to express their condolences and arrange a memorial service for Lamb to be held Monday night at which the family will be present.

In the Bruin article, Lamb said, “the only sad part (of my job) is having to say ‘goodbye’ to wonderful people year after year.”

This year, it is the students who will have to learn how to say goodbye.