David Michael Lombardo, MD, of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, passed away on May 25, 2021, at 10:10 a.m. after a four-year battle with an aggressive form of prostate cancer.

Dave was born October 5, 1954 in Hartford, Conn., the only son of Madelyn and Joseph Lombardo, and grew up in West Hartford. At Conard HS he was the best all-around boy’s athlete 2 years in a row. But his adventurous spirit took him to the Philippines at age 17 as an exchange student, where the family of doctors he lived with inspired him to become a physician, and he referred to them as his “family” forever more. He attended Amherst College where he was pre-med and played on both the basketball and soccer teams. He went on to attend medical school at the University of Virginia, then completed his residency in Diagnostic Radiology at Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s, and Beth Israel Hospitals. He spent the next 2 years traveling around Europe and the Caribbean, and volunteered as the Island Radiologist in Grenada, WI. Upon return he got married and finished his training with a fellowship at Duke University in MRI, the newest imaging technology at the time. Dave worked at the Baptist Medical Centers and Memorial Hospital as a radiologist with Drs Mori, Bean, and Brooks in Jacksonville, Florida, for over 25 years, retiring early after surviving an aortic dissection. He helped establish and/or contributed to countless non-profits and educational institutions both in Jacksonville and beyond. He believed in good education and good health care for all.

In addition to his medical training, Dave was very well rounded in his interests. He loved art, jazz, opera, traveling, sports events, playing golf, playing his trumpet, conversing in Italian, spending time in NYC, and hanging out at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club. He had a passion for the Boston Celtics and was a devoted Jaguars season ticket holder for many years. Even with all of these talents and interests his finest traits were his humility and ability to make others feel valued and important.

Dave is survived by his wife of 34 years, Carol; his 2 children, Robert (Deanna) and Lara, both of Jacksonville Beach; and his loving sister, Ann Burke (Jim) of Norwell, MA; his aunt, uncle, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws will cherish the memories of him. Dave was deeply devoted to providing and caring for his family. He was also a good friend to many and loved attending reunions and parties. His laid-back style, dry wit, thoughtful intelligence, and tiki hut hosting will be greatly missed by all who knew him. After a life very well lived, may he Rest In Peace.

Memorial donations can be made to: Community Hospice of NE Florida or the Baptist Health MBB Radiology Endowment Fund. And please consider a donation to help the family of dear friend Ian DeSousa, who is currently undergoing medical trials at Houston’s MD Anderson, for stage 4 Prostate Cancer  https://gofund.me/3ae97357.

The following tribute was submitted by Scott Osur, MD ’81:

Dave  “ Lombo”/ “ Lumpy”/ “ the Bard’ ’ Lombardo passed away on May 25, 2021 after a several year courageous battle with stage 4 Prostate Cancer. He had previously survived an aortic dissection, that required emergency surgery about a dozen years earlier.

Lombo grew up in West Hartford Connecticut where he was an All American soccer goalie and fabulous playmaker on his high school basketball team. He attended Amherst College where he continued to play on those teams while double majoring in Psychology and Chemistry. Afterwards he attended Medical School at the University of Virginia, trained at Harvard and Duke in Radiology and practiced medicine for many years in Jacksonville, Florida. After his forced retirement for medical reasons, he made the very best of the following years by travelling widely, hitting the golf links,  becoming proficient in Italian, furthering his trumpet-playing skills, attending jazz clubs, listening to opera, and drinking the very best red wines. Lombo became Jacksonville’s “most interesting man.”

Although Dave was a very accomplished athlete,  student, and physician, he was always so very humble. Everyone liked Lombo. He was smart but never over-competitive academically. He always showed an interest in what his friends were doing and encouraged their pursuits. Lombo had a dry yet profoundly witty sense of humor. After graduation from UVA, he kept up with his medical school classmates and enjoyed attending reunions donning the most outlandish sports coats.

My last time together  with Lombo was an unforgettable weekend in New York City that reflected his wide variety of interests. We biked around  Central Park, watched a Premier League soccer match on TV, sailed around lower Manhattan, had dinner in Little Italy, and finished up at a Jazz Club in Greenwich Village.

David was an outstanding physician , a singular person, and a great friend.  He was an even better loving husband and supportive father. David is survived by his wife, Carol, son Robert and daughter Lara.