MADISON - Robert Mathew “Rob” Lombardo, 81, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, September 7, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He leaves behind a remarkable legacy of service, leadership, mentorship, and devotion to family.

Rob touched many lives through law enforcement, athletics, education, coaching, and friendship. He possessed a rare combination of strength and compassion. He had an extraordinary ability to read people and situations and seemed instinctively to know when someone needed guidance, protection, encouragement, or simply someone in their corner.

A standout three-sport athlete at Edgewood High School, Rob excelled in baseball, basketball, and football. He played during an extraordinary era of Edgewood basketball that included a school-record 46-game winning streak, then continued his athletic career playing football at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

His love of sports continued throughout his life. Rob spent 14 years coaching varsity football at Edgewood High School, where he served as Defensive Coordinator and mentored generations of young athletes. In recognition of his dedication to athletics, mentorship, and service to others, he was inducted into the Edgewood High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Rob devoted nearly 30 years to the Madison Police Department. He joined the department in March 1965 and was promoted to Detective in 1970. During the Vietnam War protests, he worked undercover and walked State Street during some of Madison’s most turbulent years.

In 1991, Rob made department history when he became the first officer promoted directly from Detective to Lieutenant without first serving as a Sergeant. He later became the first male Lieutenant of the Sensitive Crimes Division. Rob also was the head of the first hostage negotiation team and the president of the State of Wisconsin Juvenile Police Officers Association.

One of the most meaningful parts of Rob’s life began at the Madison Police Department, where he met Jane Roderick. They shared 45 years of marriage and especially treasured their years together on Mounted Patrol and their shared love of horses.

Rob retired from the Madison Police Department in January 1995, but his service to others continued. He returned to Edgewood High School as Dean of Students, where he impacted hundreds of young students through honesty, fairness, accountability, and compassion. He had a special place in his heart for the underdog and was always willing to listen. In 2001, Rob continued helping young people as a drug interventionist at Madison East High School through Project Hugs.

Away from work, Rob loved the outdoors, fishing, hunting, trips to Green Lake, and the friendships and stories that came with those traditions. He also loved animals, especially the horses that were such an important part of family life and the dogs that inevitably found a place beside him.

Family was at the center of Rob’s life. He was the proud father of Dana, Tara (William), Dino, and Dominic (Laura); and grandfather to Nicklaus, Chase, Blaise, Daniel, and Kaleena.

His granddaughter, Kaleena, knew him simply as “Baca.” Rob adored her, and being her Baca brought out a wonderfully tender and playful side of him. His family will always be grateful for the love, laughter, and memories they shared.

Rob was preceded in death by his father, James Lombardo, and his mother, Virginia Parks.

Rob’s true legacy lives in the people he influenced: the crime victim who felt safe talking to him, the officer who respected his leadership, the student who knew Dean Lombardo would be fair, the athlete who learned from Coach Lombardo, and the underdog who knew someone strong was willing to stand beside them.

For his family, he was something even greater.

He was a husband.

He was Dad.

And he was Baca.

He will be profoundly missed, deeply loved, and never forgotten.

A Celebration of Life will be held at BADGER FARMS, 1682 County Road BB, Deerfield, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2026.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Robert Mathew Lombardo

April 01, 1945 - September 07, 2026

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