LTC (Ret) William H. Bamber, US Army, 1923 - 2015

Beloved husband, father and grandfather, William H. Bamber, died suddenly yet peacefully on Saturday, January 3rd at his home in Green Ridge Village, Newville, PA.  Bill was a proud New Englander born in Lowell, Massachusetts on September 6, 1923 and grew up in Manchester, New Hampshire. He traveled the world through his military service and adventures with Mary, his wife of 58 years. They met in 1953 and after an engagement of slightly less than two months were married and never looked back. Mary, their son, William Edward Bamber, Jr. and Bill’s younger brother Ted Bamber, predeceased him.

Bill had a distinguished 26 year Army career. He enlisted in 1942 while a student at MIT. He was discharged in 1943 to accept an appointment to West Point (USMA). He was an active and proud member of the USMA class of 1946 and their 15,889th graduate. His military service included the 24th Infantry Regiment, 25thDivision in Japan, 11th Airborne Division, Ranger Training, ROTC duty at Harvard, 467th Counter Intelligence Corp Detachment, Regimental Advisor in Vietnam, 82nd Airborne Division and Liaison Officer, Military Assistance Advisory Group with the second German Allied Corp, and finally a National Guard Advisor. He retired a Lt. Colonel in 1968.

Bill found civilian life fulfilling and worked at Thomas Jefferson University in Human Resources and Employee Benefits for many years. He retired in 1993 after a stint at independent consulting. He and Mary fully embraced retirement and moved to Green Ridge Village. They always said this was one of their best moves and enjoyed a robust and active community and volunteer life. They had many good friends at Green Ridge and counted themselves among the founding members of the dinner group fondly known as the Usual Suspects.

Bill is survived by his loving family: Elizabeth, Clay and Sophia Diptee (daughter, son in-law and grand-daughter), Jamie, Debbie, Ruth and Jerry (in-laws), Abbie, Peter, Anna, Melissa and Cosmo (nieces, nephews and spouses) and their children and grandchildren. Bill was kind, loyal, and devoted to duty. He gave of himself unselfishly at every turn. We are all much better people for having known him. He led by example.

Bill was a lifelong and devoted member of the Episcopal Church, most recently at St. John's in Carlisle, PA.  His father in-law, Leon Mark Brewster was an Episcopal minister and last presided over Saint Mark’s in Perryville, MD.  This summer Bill will be celebrated by his family at Saint Mark’s and interred next to his beloved Mary and son Bill.

Bill will be celebrated locally this Tuesday, January 13 at 11 a.m. at St. John’s, On the Square in Carlisle.  A light lunch in the Parish Hall will follow.

Bill and Mary supported many, many charities and institutions over their lifetime and volunteered generously in their community and church. Bill would be touched by gifts made in his name to the charity of your choice or to the Army Heritage Center Foundation, PO Box 839, Carlisle, PA 17013 or to Ordway Parent Teacher Organization, 8555 Madison Avenue NE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 (His grand-daughter’s elementary school).  Ewing Brothers Funeral Home, Carlisle, is assisting his daughter with arrangements.  www.Since1853.com.