Edwin Charles Lampitt, D.D.S.
Edwin Charles Lampitt, D.D.S., 73 of Columbia, Missouri passed away at his home surrounded by family on April 21, 2020. Interment will be private in St. Louis at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery with full military honors. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.
Ed was born September 21, 1946 in St. Louis the son of Edwin Andrew and Lillian Gwenda (Hibberd) Lampitt. He grew up in Pekin, Illinois, moving with his family to St. Charles Missouri in 1962 where he enjoyed two undefeated seasons as a wrestler for SCHS. After graduation, he attended the University of Missouri-Columbia where he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He was an active and loyal brother throughout his life. Ed played rugby both as a student at Mizzou and throughout his twenties, but his real love and success came through the sport of wrestling. The first MU wrestler to place at the Big Eight Conference Tournament, he was Captain of the 1968 team, and was instrumental in helping to build the program during its early years. Ed’s contributions are recognized each year via the “Ed Lampitt Total Tiger Award” which is given to the wrestler who best exhibits leadership qualities on the mat, in the classroom and in life.
Ed graduated with honors from Mizzou earning a degree in Civil Engineering. He was accepted into the U.S. Naval Officers Candidate School and ultimately the Aviation Program. 1970, he and Kathleen (nee Row) were married. He enrolled at the UMKC School of Dentistry in 1973 and upon graduation, he and his family moved to San Diego, California to complete his service to the Navy. Tragically he was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 1979. Two subsequent surgeries left him with debilitating paralysis, but Ed’s greatest achievements were ahead. Told he would never walk again, he not only walked, he retrained for one-handed dentistry and established a successful practice in Piedmont. He also re-qualified for his private pilot’s license, played golf, skied and enjoyed an active life for his remaining 40+ years.
Because of his extraordinary life and accomplishments, he was inducted into the MU Athletics Hall of Fame, National Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. Ed served as President of the Mizzou Letterwinners Club, Piedmont Canyon Club, Columbia Country Club and sat on the Alpha Tau Omega Board of Trustees. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and the Boone County Historical Society. Beyond his accomplishments, his personality was his greatest gift. A natural leader he was gregarious, funny, positive, driven and affirming. He gave his love and encouragement generously. Survivors include his wife, Katie; three children, Suzanne (Scott) Dudley, Ed (Maggie) Lampitt, and Kim (David) Smith; 10 grandchildren Katherine, Lily, Isabelle and Anna Dudley; Molly, Ally and Laney Lampitt; Charlie Kate, Reece and Otto Smith; a brother, Tom (Donna) and two sisters, Gwen (Mike) Bennett, Trish (Randy) Stahly, a brother-in-law; Lee Row and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to one of the following: BARx Adaptive Training (501c3), 1406 Greening Ln, Kirkwood, MO 63122; Trinity Lutheran Church-Columbia, MO, 2201 S. Rolling Hills Rd., Columbia, MO 65201, Mizzou Letterwinners Club.
Online condolences may be made at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com.
