Tom Lambert, a long-time supporter of Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary, and founding member of the Cordell Marine Sanctuary Foundation died at home in Sebastopol on February 3, 2026. He was 79. With Tom’s passing, Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary, Cordell Marine Sanctuary Foundation and Marine Sanctuaries lost an ardent supporter.  Tom had a passion for the ocean. His peaceful place was his family’s house in Stinson Beach that his grandfather built after years of taking the ferry from the east bay and hiking over Mt. Tamalpais to camp at Stinson Beach.  Tom was one of the longest standing supporters of Cordell Bank and ocean protection. He joined Cordell Bank’s Sanctuary Advisory Council soon after its creation and remained on the council until he termed out after serving for 12 years. He was the president of the council for six years. Shortly after leaving his position on the advisory council, Tom co-created the Cordell Marine Sanctuary Foundation. The Foundation’s goal was to raise money to support science and education programs at the sanctuary. Tom was the president of the Foundation for several years and served on the Board of the Foundation for 18 years until his passing. Tom was hard-working, humble, smart and loyal. As a Foundation member he continued to attend sanctuary advisory council meetings to track activity at the sanctuary and report back with a summary of the meeting to the Foundation. The list of other worthy activities that Tom supported is too long to list.  Tom was a good man, and we will miss him dearly.