Charles E. Lambert, 79, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and meteorologist who helped develop an international aviation forecasting system, died of a respiratory ailment October 10, 1999 at Georgetown University Hospital. A resident of the Washington area for 40 years, he lived in La Plata.

He served in the military for 21 years and retired in 1962. He was an aviation forecaster and program leader with the U.S. Weather Service after that, and worked on computerized international forecasting until he retired again in 1988.

Colonel Lambert was born in Barboursville, West Virginia. He was a graduate of Marshall University. He served in the Army Air Forces as a pilot during World War II in Europe and Asia. He was later posted to meteorology assignments in Japan and Okinawa.

He was president of the PTA at Potomac High School, a deacon at Fort Foote Baptist Church in Oxon Hill and a volunteer with the American Red Cross blood donor program and the hospital at Andrews Air Force Base.

His honors included a bronze medal from the Commerce Department.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Betty Lambert of La Plata; four children, Gary Lambert of Deep Creek Lake, Md., James Lambert of Fort Washington, Michael Lambert of Huntingtown and Mary Ann Goode-Rebel of Cumberland, R.I.; three sisters; a brother; and eight grandchildren.

On Sunday, October 10, 1999. The beloved husband of Betty C. Lambert; father of Gary C., James L. and Michael C. Lambert and Mary Ann Goode-Rebel; brother of Henry L. Lambert, Dolly Byrne, Ruth French and Gladys Dorr. He is also survived by eight grandchildren. Friends may call at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, P.A., 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD on Sunday, October 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Monday, October 25 from 12:30 p.m. until service time at 1:30 p.m. at Forest Heights Baptist Church, 6371 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD. Interment Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Lung Association.