Marcel Lambrechts

Dr. Marcel G. Lambrechts, 83 of Hurricane, passed away on August 29, 2012. Born in Hannut, Belgium in 1928, he survived the occupation of his hometown in WWII. He received his medical degree at the University of Louvain in Belgium and immigrated to Charleston, WV, in 1955 to begin his career. He met his wife, Louise, while interning at Charleston General, and they married in 1957. He continued his training at the Children?s Hospital in Cincinnati, and returned to Charleston in 1961 to begin his pediatric practice. Dr. Lambrechts was a leader in the treatment of Cystic Fibrosis and the field of nutrition and authored 2 books. He was a clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics at WVU. He retired from his distinguished pediatrician career in 1994. To this day, people remember him fondly as their "baby doctor". Dr. Lambrechts worked part-time for the WV Social Security Administration where he specialized in evaluating disability cases, and continued this work until December of 2011. He also was a medical consultant with the Division of Crippled Children, and Medical Director of the Southern West Virginia Cystic Fibrosis Clinic. Dr. Lambrechts was an avid golfer and played throughout the Kanawha Valley, primarily at Berry Hills Country Club and Sleepy Hollow Golf Club. His favorite golf moments were as a member of a winning team at a Firestone Pro/Am at Firestone CC, in Akron Ohio in 1977, and shooting an opening round of 68 in the West Virginia Open in 1969 competing against accomplished golfers Sam Snead, Joe Taylor, and Barney Thompson. He loved music and was an accomplished dancer. His other hobbies included home movies, fishing, assembling golf clubs, and collecting old movies. He was a proud and dedicated WVU Mountaineer fan. Dr. Lambrechts is survived by his wife of 55 years E. Louise Lambrechts, his two sons Michel J. Lambrechts and his wife Beth Anne of Medford, New Jersey and Marcel G. Lambrechts, Jr. DDS and his wife Susan of Richmond, Virginia, his son-in-law Joseph Orlandi and his wife Mary of Nitro, WV and his 6 grandchildren, Christina Orlandi, Gino Orlandi, Andrew Lambrechts, Katherine Lambrechts, Zachary Lambrechts and Mary Lambrechts. He was preceded in death by 2 daughters, Suzanne (1981) and Yvonne (1994). Dr. Lambrechts lived his life to the fullest and all who knew him are the richer for it. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday September 3, 2012 at The Catholic Church of the Ascension, 905 Hickory Mill Road, Hurricane with celebrant Rev. Father Harry N. Cramer officiating. Visitation will be 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Chapman Funeral Home, 3941 Teays Valley Road, Hurricane. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society. You may also send online condolences to the family at www.chapmanfuneralhomes.com. Chapman Funeral Home, 3941 Teays Valley Road, Hurricane, WV 25526 is in charge of arrangements.