Richard "Dick" M. Lombard

Richard “Dick” M. Lombard, 88 years young, passed away after battling with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease), which he fought with courage and determination until the Lord embraced him on August 8, 2022.

He leaves a legacy of love, generosity and service to his family, friends and community. All will remember his love of family, kindness, big smile and sense of humor. He joins his beloved wife, Margaret B. Lombard (Berleman). He is survived by his children Laura Szymber (late William), Richard Lombard Jr., Virginia Hayward (John), Patricia Gorman (Edwin), Sharon Koch (Joseph) and Kenneth Lombard (Sarah); adored grandfather of Rachel, Jacob, Jack, Conner, Nathan, William, Ellie, Ava, Aidan, Lauren, Sofia, Vinnie, Fiona, and Kieran; proud uncle of 40 nieces and nephews and great uncle of many more.

He was born in Chicago, IL on April 11, 1934. Son of the late Michael (Josephine) Lombard and the late Virginia (nee Spracklen) Lombard; Survived by siblings, Marjorie Lombard, Colette Hoover (Edwin), Genevieve Fitzgerald (Patrick), and Frances Moore (Michael). He was predeceased by siblings Marilyn Lombard, Thomas Lombard, Dennis Lombard and George (Betty) Lombard. He was a dear brother in-law to Frances Cremer (Charles), Carolyn Petracca (late John), and predeceased by Katrina Earl (late Quentin), Laurence Berleman (Evelyn), Janet Kadansky, and John Berleman (Judy).

He was Private First Class serving proudly as a Field Communications Crewman in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany. A graduate of Leo High School, he went on to study Engineering at the University of Illinois. After a short time, he left to help establish the M.A. Lombard & Sons Company, a family-owned pre-cast construction company in Alsip, IL with his father, Michael A. Lombard and brother, George Lombard. He was proud to have contributed to well-known construction projects in Chicago and throughout Illinois and he happily retired after 43 years of service.

He was a proud charter member and founding President of the POW-R Sertoma Club, dedicated to providing adults with disabilities a place to work. He helped facilitate the planning and fundraising for the Sertoma Centre (formerly the Sertoma Job Training Center) alongside his father, Michael A. Lombard.

He was a long-time, dedicated parishioner at Queen of Martyrs church in Evergreen Park, IL. He cherished his fellow parishioners and priests, many of whom were his beloved neighbors and friends.

The Richard M. Lombard family wishes to give heartfelt thanks for the compassionate and excellent care provided by the teams at Edward Hines, Jr. VA ALS Multidisciplinary Clinic, Lighthouse Hospice and Palliative Care and Brookdale Lisle Skilled Nursing. We also greatly appreciate all of the support and services provided by the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs and the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

Visitation for Dick will be from 3-8 PM on Thursday, August 11, at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 4727 W 103rd, Oak Lawn. Funeral to begin at 9:15 AM on Friday, August 12, at Blake-Lamb, proceeding to Queen of Martyrs Church, 10233 S Central Park, Evergreen Park, for a 10 AM Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Dick’s brother, Thomas Lombard, to Good Shepherd Manor, 4129 N, IL-1 #17, Momence, IL 60954, (815) 472-3700.