Max Lombard

Max Lombard (March 29, 1928 - January 16, 2020) truly had a wonderful life encompassing nearly 92 years. A well-kept secret, he was a wild teenager and subsequently turned his life around as a US Marine Corps drill sergeant and member of the elite Silent Drill Team. He was a Miami Beach Lifeguard, passionate and superb multilingual scholar, fencing champion, college counselor, professor and advising chairperson beloved by coworkers and students, competitive ballroom dancer, marathon runner, lover of classical music and opera, world traveler, humanitarian, master gardener, mentor to many, uncle, brother, and friend.

He is survived by his spouse, the love of his life, Althea (Heins) Lombard of Pompano Beach; his niece Tiina Lombard of Aventura, her son Sgt Hunter Deakman of the USAF and his wife Dasia who live in Japan; his nephew Mark, his wife Claudia, and their daughter Sophia of Boca Raton; his sister-in-law Evi Lombard of Boca Raton; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Carol and Jerry Toomey of Melbourne, their children Stephen, Raymond, Trisha, and Kenneth and their children Jared, John and Neal.

Max was born in Milan, Italy but left there as a young boy and immigrated to the United States with his father and brother in 1942. They moved first to Cuba, then New York, and finally to Florida. Max’s father, Daniel (Frommer) Lombard, was born in Budapest, Hungary and became a naturalized US citizen in 1945. He lived mostly in Florida where he worked as a chemist in the textile industry and died in 1989. Max’s mother, Caterina "Kate" Anna (Fielder) Frommer, died in 1935. Max’s brother, Marco Lombard, pre-deceased Max in 2017. Max was also very close to his mother-in-law, Claire Heins, who died in 2000.

Max (formally “Mac”) served in the United States Marine Corps from 1948 to 1952. He was a member of the silent drill team in Washington, D.C., and a drill sergeant in Parris Island. He retired as a Staff Sergeant. He maintained a deep and sincere love of the United States and felt honored and privileged to be an American.

Max worked as a lifeguard in Dade County from 1954 to 1958. He served as a counselor and supervisor at the Youth Opportunity Center in Miami from 1958 to 1966, and he was a counselor and internal consultant at the north campus of Miami Dade Community College from 1966 until 1980. In 1980 he became a Professor at Miami Dade Community College's north campus, and he retired as chairperson for the Counseling, Advisement, and Career Services Department in 1995.

The charming and beautiful, Althea Diane Heins won Max’s heart when they met at the University of Miami. They were married on June 29, 1958. Max introduced Althea to fencing at the University of Miami, and later they were dance partners in many ball room dance competitions. Married nearly 62 years, they were a shining example of love, devotion, partnership, and friendship.

He began his advance education while in the Marine Corps. After the Marine Corps, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology (with a minor in Sociology) from the University of Miami in 1958, his Master of Education degree in Guidance and Counseling from Florida Atlantic University in 1966, and his Doctor of Education degree from Nova University in 1975.

Max was a runner. He ran many races and also completed five marathons - the Orange Bowl Marathon twice, the Marine Corps marathon, the New York City Marathon, and the Boston Marathon. Max was also a master gardener. He grew orchids and other unique tropical plants in his green houses. He grew grapefruit, oranges, star fruit, key limes, mangos, coffee beans and even macadamia nuts. The orchids and other plants Max grew were considered some of the best in South Florida.

Max’s first language was Italian but he also spoke Spanish, German and of course English. His gift of language and quest for knowledge made him an exceptional traveler. Max and Althea traveled to over 50 different countries, sometime with friends from Miami Dade, and often with his sister-in-law and brother-in-law. His love of photography allowed him to document all of their trips. Max also collected coins, stamps, flat irons, and banks from around the world, and he leaves behind an excellent collection of each.

Family was an integral part of Max’s life and he was an exceptional role model to his nieces and nephews. He shared his love of life, learning, and the importance of eduction. He never missed a major event or holiday, spent many Christmas Eves staying up all night assembling toys, and loved to help his mother-in-law make coffee cakes. Max was never too busy to mentor, guide, support, laugh, or simply listen. He would teach you to play chess, but never let you win. He would lend books from his personal library, but want to discuss it when you finished. He inspired you to do your best, to challenge yourself, not to take life too serious, and to be kind, compassionate, and tolerant of others.

Max was blessed with many life long friends. Harry Bell, Max’s best man, lives with his wife Joan in Deerfield Beach and visited frequently as did Marie and Steve Nock, owners of a unique tropical plant nursery in Miami. Several colleagues from Miami Dade have stayed in touch including Bobbi Ossip (who sent cards and postcards to Max nearly every week); Sue and John Greb; Dr. Jeffrey and Maureen Luckenbill; Jan Armstrong and Valerie Fox. Max enjoyed his quarterly reviews with his investment broker and friend, G.J. Gagne and his wife Cathy.

Max supported many causes and tried to make this world a better place. Countless donations to worthy charities, generous with his time for others, quick to help those in need, and always a infectious smile and laugh to share.

Max and Althea made the decision to move to John Knox Village in 2005 when they realized that Althea’s memory was declining. They lived independently for over 10 years in Heritage Towers but continued their lifestyle of weekly trips to Miami to visit friends, eat out, and enjoy operas, concerts and plays. At John Knox, Max volunteered as a bartender at many Heritage Tower events, he and Althea enjoyed walking the beautiful grounds and gardens, and he kept in great shape by making good use of the fitness center several days each week. Although the food was good at the John Knox dining facility, Max and Althea ate most dinners at their favorite restaurant, The Sea Watch in Ft. Lauderdale where the staff treated them as royalty. Each meal started with a glass of Glenlivet (neat) and most ended with a slice key lime pie.

In Jan 2015, Max suffered a massive stroke and life as he and Althea knew it changed forever. His will to live was fueled by his need to ensure that Althea was taken care of. Although he was no longer able to care for her, his exceptional nurturing example allowed family members to step in to help manage their needs. Wonderful Private Duty Aides, especially Beverly Cordiel, and his favorite physical therapist (and fellow marathon runner) Cydne Fuller, were instrumental in Max’s recovery and Althea’s new norm.

When John Knox’s new Skilled Nursing Facility (the Woodlands) opened in 2016, Max and Althea moved into the Poinciana House where they have been well cared for by the exceptional team of medical and personal care professionals. One of the highlights of Max’s week was working out with the dedicated personal trainers at the John Knox fitness center three days a week. He rarely missed a session, his latest was Jan 10th, 2020!

Maybe the best way to know Max is through some of his favorite quotes:

• "Today is necessary, because it is the day to do what is necessary."

• "Do not regret growing older -- it is a privilege denied to many."

• "When the student is ready, the master will appear."

• "It is better to travel hopefully than to arrive."

• "Yesterday is a cancelled check. Tomorrow is a promissory note. Today is cash.”

Max Lombard was an exceptional man. Loved and admired by many, he will be missed!

A Celebration of Life gathering will be held:

Saturday, March 7th from noon until 2pm

John Knox Village Woodlands Life Enrichment Center

651 SW 6th Street

Pompano Beach, FL 33060

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society

https://www.nmcrs.org/donate