Robert Dalton Lombard

Robert D. "Lefty" Lombard, 82, a native of Whitman died Jan. 16 at the Bourne Manor Nursing home in Bourne after experiencing multiple health problems.

A 1950 graduate of Whitman High School, Robert excelled in football and baseball. He received a baseball scholarship to attend Mt. San Antonio JC in Walnut, California, where he starred for two years as a pitcher and hitter. His athletic skills allowed him to continue playing baseball at UCLA while earning an English degree before graduating in 1955.

In 1956 Robert was inducted into the US Navy where he served honorably on the USS Albany as a radioman. Navy cruises took him to the Caribbean, South America, and the Mediterranean. He continued to play baseball while in the Navy and competed against teams from the Dominican Republic and Venezuela.

After military service, Robert began working for the Regal Shoe Company full-time beginning in 1958. During his career with Regal Shoe, he managed shoe stores in Minneapolis, Chicago, Rochester and New York City.

Robert made a career change when he decided to enroll at Bridgewater State University and earn a masters degree in English. He became a certified teacher in July, 1973. His teaching career began at Weymouth North High School as an English teacher and baseball coach and continued until he retired in Jan. 1995, from the same school.

Before he retired Robert moved from Whitman to Pocasset in 1982. He enjoyed his retirement years on Cape Cod playing golf. He was a fan of the Boston sports teams and followed them of television.

Robert is survived by his sister, Margaret I. Guglia of Pocasset, nephews Robert E. Jennings of Woodbridge, Va, Robert A Lombard of Westfield, NJ, and Charles R. Pratt of Montgomery, Vt. Nieces Tagalie A. Heister of Lexington, Ky and Mary Lou Wood of Lexington, Ma.

Combined funeral and burial services will take place in the Veterans Administration National Cemetery in Bourne at a later date.