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.