Obituaries : * Anthony Henry (Tony) Lamb; Inventor

Anthony Henry (Tony) Lamb of Newbury Park, an accomplished inventor who became an activist for senior causes and a Thousand Oaks city councilman in his later years, died Sunday at a Thousand Oaks rest home. He was 89.

Lamb was a prolific inventor who registered more than 200 patents during his career with Weston Electrical Instruments, Curtis Wright Corp. and his own consulting firm, Lamb Engineering Associates.

He was born in Newark, N.J., on Nov. 3, 1903, and moved to Ventura County in 1971 following the death of his wife.

Lamb grew up in modest circumstances and began tinkering with gadgets as a boy, friends recalled. A Westinghouse official who happened to see a cart that Lamb had fashioned from salvaged parts was impressed enough to later arrange for Lamb to attend college, said Myrtle Beyer, who worked with Lamb in the Conejo Valley Senior Citizen Assn.

During his career, Lamb patented an early solar cell, developed an instant camera and worked on aeronautic devices.

After moving to Ventura County, Lamb gravitated toward senior issues. His first project was to organize a squad of retired technicians and craftsmen who would use donated material to perform repairs for seniors.

Lamb was later appointed to a paid position as the county’s senior coordinator, and at the same time pursued the goal of creating a union for senior citizens and the construction of a town reserved for seniors. He also served stints on the California Commission on Aging and the Senior Legislature.

He was among leaders in the Thousand Oaks area who pushed for senior food programs, emergency transportation and the creation of senior centers.

“Tony said he came here to be a playboy, but when he saw the needs of senior residents he became a workaholic,” Beyer said.

With his election to the Thousand Oaks City Council at age 82 in 1986, Lamb became one of the oldest elected officials in the United States, said City Manager Grant Brimhall.

“I believe he was the oldest freshman council member in the history of the country,” Brimhall said. “But in terms of excitement and interest, he was as exciting and vigorous a council member as you could find.”

Councilman Alex Fiore remembered Lamb as a thoughtful councilman who only spoke when addressing issues that were important to him. “Tony was an inventive genius who was well-liked by all who worked with him,” Fiore said.

Lamb was an effective lobbyist for the elderly until the end, Brimhall said. “He was a master at not taking no for an answer,” Brimhall said.

A service will be held Thursday in New Jersey. Arrangements are under the direction of Pierce Brothers Griffin Mortuary, Thousand Oaks.