Obituary of Herbert T. Lake

Herbert T. Lake, age 92, of Basking Ridge, NJ, died Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at Morristown Memorial Hospital in Morristown, NJ. Mr. Lake was born October 7, 1919 in Jersey City, NJ. He was the son of the late Burton and the late Mary (Webb) Lake. He was a career Naval Officer and retired as a Lt Commander serving his country from 1937 to 1958. His naval career spanned twenty years becoming one of the youngest Chiefs in the Navy making the rate of CEM at the age of 22. Two years later, he became an officer and participated in the invasion of Okinawa and in the occupation of Japan. During the Korean War he was the electrical officer on USS Boxer (CVA21). Later he became XO and navigator of the destroyer USS Stribling (DD867) navigating her around the world and operating off the coast of Korea in 1953-54. His last duty was as Captain of USS Vital (MSO477). He retired and started a new career in Andover, Massachusetts, as an engineer for Raytheon Manufacturing. Retired again, he enjoyed years of travel with his wife Janet. They then settled in Murrell's Inlet, South Carolina. For the last eleven years he resided at Fellowship Village in Basking Ridge, NJ. During that time, he showed his ability in woodcraft, electrical repair and even in knitting baby blankets. He was quite a man and had a wonderfully full life. Herbert is survived by his sister Ruth Schmeelk of Dumont NJ, his daughter, Pamela Kiesel, his son, H. Tucker Lake and his six cherished grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by his beloved wife, Janet in 1999. A Memorial Service celebrating Herb's life will be held on Saturday, September 29th at 2:00 pm at Fellowship Village in Basking Ridge,NJ. All funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Martin Funeral Home of Clinton, NJ. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donation to The Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 (www.woundedwarriorproject.org.)