Robert Edward Lombardi

At 10:15 PM on May 28th a great many communities lost a mentor, a teacher, a coach and a friend as Robert Edward Lombardi passed away at the age of 82 in the presence of his family in his home in New Lenox.

Born in the South Side of Chicago on June 3rd, 1938 to Edward and Gertrude Lombardi, Coach Lombardi was raised and lived in Illinois throughout his 82 years. At Knox college in Galesburg, Illinois he met his future wife of 60 years, Melinda Lombardi (Hass), and together they have had the pleasure of raising their four children, Tony, Lisa, Amy and Matt. Along the way, Bob and Melinda became grandparents of 14 wonderful children and recently great grandparents of 2 more.

In 1961, he started a career at Homewood Flossmoor High school as an Economics and History teacher and running backs coach for the Varsity. At that time, the athletic Director Bill Burghardt saw something in him and moved him to a P.E. teacher, and then in 1967 he began his first head coaching job at H-F. During his nine years as head coach at Homewood-Flossmoor, he had back-to-back undefeated seasons in 1971 and 1972 and led them to five conference championships. He then coached 3 years at the University of Chicago working for his father-in-law, Walter Hass, leading them to their most successful season in over 15 years. Coach Lombardi decided high school coaching was his love and in 1979, he was hired at Rich East High School as a P.E. Teacher and Head Football Coach. He led the Rocket’s program all the way until 1997 gathering over 180 wins over his career, was inducted into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 1991, and later had Rich East’s football stadium named in his honor. After retiring from high school, he coached another 16 years as an assistant coach in Hamburg, Germany, Eastern Michigan University, Chicago Enforcers (XFL), Homewood-Flossmoor, Lincoln-Way Central, Providence, and Lincoln Way West totaling up 54 years of coaching football in some capacity.

However, what made Coach Lombardi so special was the impact he had on generations of kids and the ability to inspire young men to levels that they never dreamt possible. He believed in and loved every player and student that ever crossed his path greeting them with his famous “LOVE IT!” and allowing them to see how each of them truly can be great. He was a transformational presence for so many!

There will be a Visitation at Kurtz Memorial Chapel, 102 E. Francis Rd. in New Lenox, IL from 3 – 8 PM on Friday, June 4th, while the funeral mass will be at St Jude Catholic Church in New Lenox at 11 AM on Saturday, June 5th.