Eugene Lambert, an alumnus and former trustee whose relationship with GW spanned a half-century, died last week. He was 77.

The food and drug lawyer, who earned his bachelor’s degree from GW in 1957, sat on the Board of Trustees from 2001 to 2007 during former University President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg’s tenure.

Lambert also chaired the Heritage Society, a group of philanthropic University leaders, and was a founding member of the National Council for Arts and Sciences, an advisory group for the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences.

He was also a partner of Covington & Burling, a D.C.-based law firm.

“Gene was a generous supporter and benefactor of the George Washington University,” University President Steven Knapp said in a release. “I came to know him in particular as the unfailingly witty and gracious host of our annual Heritage Society events. He will be greatly missed.”

Lambert is survived by his wife, Janet Verner Platt Lambert; three children; and two grandchildren.