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Passing of Former Interim Headmaster and Longtime Faculty Member
Hockaday mourns the loss of beloved faculty member, trustee, and former Interim Head of School Richard “Dick” Lombardi.
Mr. Lombardi served as Interim Head of School from 1989–90 and passed away on April 24, 2025, at the age of 92. He was the son of Adele Volk Lombardi ’16, a member of Hockaday’s first full graduating class, and Cornelius Ennis Lombardi. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Ginny Lombardi; daughter, Carolyn Lombardi Tillquist ’78; sons, George and Eric Lombardi; and his son-in-law, daughters-in-law, six grandchildren, and one great-grandson.
He began teaching at Hockaday in 1978 and taught Anthropology, U.S. History, History of Mexico and Canada, U.S. Government, and Geography and served as an Upper School advisor for many years before retiring in 2004. He was also named an Honorary Alum by the Hockaday Alumnae Association. The Richard Lombardi-Magellan Award for excellence in History, Geography, and Anthropology is presented each year at Hockaday in his honor.
Mr. Lombardi attended Pembroke Country Day School in Kansas City, MO through 10th grade and graduated high school from the Frederick Gunn School in Washington, CT. He attended Uppingham School in the United Kingdom for a postgraduate year and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Yale University. A Renaissance man with expansive and varied interests from music, tennis, writing, business, teaching and tutoring, to world travel and much more, Hockaday students dedicated the 1990 edition of Cornerstones to Mr. Lombardi, stating, “The year of the team. When a Hockaday student hears these words, she immediately thinks of one special person, Mr. Richard Lombardi. In addition to teaching several classes this year, Mr. Lombardi has led the School as Interim Headmaster. He has touched the hearts of all of his students with his gentle sense of humor and smile. Mr. Lombardi is a most dedicated, valued member of the Hockaday community. He involves himself in every aspect of student life–from musicals to athletic games, from parent meetings to St. Mark’s coordinate days. We dedicate this yearbook to Mr. Lombardi in appreciation for his support, enthusiasm, and dedication.”
Memories can be shared with the family at RichardEnnisLombardi32@gmail.com. The family has requested that contributions in Mr. Lombardi’s memory be made here to the Hockaday School’s Endowment for Financial Aid.
As we celebrate Mr. Lombardi’s legacy at Hockaday and his contribution to the education of countless students, please keep his family in your thoughts. His impact on Hockaday and the many Hockaday women he taught and advised was immeasurable, and we are grateful for his many contributions to our beloved School.
The Hockaday School
Within the private school community, The Hockaday School is an independent college-preparatory day school for girls from grades PK–12 located in Dallas, Texas. Students realize their limitless potential through challenging academic curricula, arts, athletics, and extracurricular programs so that they are inspired to lead lives of purpose and impact.
The Hockaday School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its educational, admissions, financial aid, athletic, and other policies and programs.
The Hockaday School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its educational, admissions, financial aid, athletic, and other policies and programs.