In Remembrance: Vincent Lamberti ’47, ’51PhD Died on March 21 2014

Vincent Lamberti, 86, formerly of Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, died Friday, March 21, 2014, after a series of complications from congestive heart failure.

The youngest son of immigrant parents from Arellino, Italy, he won a scholarship to Yale University, graduating Phi Beta Kappa and a member of the Sigma XI Society, and eventually earning his doctorate in organic chemistry.  He worked for 40 years as head of the research division for Lever Brothers in Edgewater, New Jersey, wherein he invented and patented the first non–animal fat detergent soap, now commonly known as Dove soap.  He would eventually help invent many popular household items from Mrs. Butterworth's pancake syrup to the first gel toothpaste, Aim.  Dr. Lamberti went on to earn more than 140 patents during his career.  He was on the cover of the New York Times Magazine as one of America's outstanding young scientists, and also was interviewed by the Bergen Record and the Hudson Dispatch.  He has written over 2,000 patents for other inventors all over the world. 

An all-around genius with a devastating wit, he is survived by his wife, Ileana, to whom he was married for 65 years, both having attended the same high school in Meriden, Connecticut.  He is also survived by his daughter, Laana, and his son Vincent James, and four grandsons, William, Dylan, Morgan and Dylan.  He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.

A memorial service will be held at Van Emburgh Funeral Parlor, 109 Darlington Avenue, Ramsey, New Jersey, on Saturday, March 29, from 1 to 3 p.m.

—Submitted by the family.