VFW event seeks memories, support

By Jonathan Cook
Turley Publications Reporter

STURBRIDGE - Robert Bombard received second chances as a poor kid in the Springfield Boys Club. As a result, he devoted his career to doing the same for other kids.
He managed to accomplish that in a role former Tantasqua Superintendent David Roach says, “tends by the nature of the job to be cut and dried application of the rules.”
Instead, as Assistant Principal of the “old” Tantasqua High School for 23 years – retiring in 1991 – Bombard, “was a presence at a very critical point in many young people’s lives,” Roach said.
Emphasis on presence.
Back in the days of an open campus, Bombard was everywhere, shepherding wayward kids back to class. Once he’d made his sweep, he’d occasionally burst into a class with a genuine smile and infectious laugh.
He’d launch into a philosophical discussion with the students, says retired English teacher Ken Blake.
“Kids absolutely loved him, even those he disciplined, because he was fair and supportive,” said Art teacher Rocky Thompson who graduated from Tantasqua in 1978 then went back to teach in 1985. “He kind of took me under his wing,” Thompson said. “He was a father figure to me. He motivated and encouraged me to go to college and kicked my rear end into grad school. The whole reason I’m here hinges on the fact that he took an interest in a kid who was just going along.”
Thompson wasn’t alone. Roach says, Bombard “had a way to get people going and turn kids around with a lot of encouragement and a sprit of empathy.” Bombard was able to succeed as enforcer of rules, “in a way that had a more flexible side. He wanted kids to learn from their mistakes.”
“Bob was like that,” said his brother William (Bill) Bombard, who is a retired Worcester public school principal.
“He wanted to give kids a break. Of course we had those breaks when we were kids. He never forgot.”
Bill recalls that his brother, who passed away last October, “was full of energy and life.” He also sparked his share of controversy. Bill said is brother was so aggressive in advocating for kids he stepped on some toes.
What’s more, prior to arriving at Tantasqua, Bombard had been in the thick of a West Brookfield Elementary School teacher strike.
Blake, who had moved to West Brookfield when he started working in Sturbridge, had a child in Bombard’s class. As Blake remembers it, the teachers were without a contract when they decided to go on strike. Bombard was one of the instigators.
Bill explained that his brother’s efforts lead to “the first teacher strike in the state of Massachusetts.”
As a result, all the teachers lost their jobs. Bombard took up house painting. But Blake got him an interview for a spot teaching social studies at Tantasqua. Bombard landed the job and got a second chance at teaching.
Before long he’d earned an appointment to be Assistant Principal, a role he took on as if he were born to do it.
“He could speak for hours about the philosophy of education, but what it boiled down to with him was to put kids in contact with good adults and keep kids in school. He also believed you couldn’t judge the result of your efforts until many years later,” Thompson said.
He credits Bombard with creating “an environment that made this place really special.” He adds that the school has been able to hold onto some of that heritage despite changing times and a new building. “Today it really is a good culture up here.” Bombard “used to say this is a great school because we have great kids. And he truly meant it.”
His dedication to helping kids kept him involved in the Boys Club his whole life, as well, eventually entering the club’s Hall of Fame.
At Tantasqua, Bombard lent his robust presence and popularity to leading roles in faculty plays that raised scholarship money.
Now, a group of alumni and faculty is getting together to fund a scholarship that will support Tantasqua graduates in Bombard’s name. Friday, Nov. 27 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Fiskdale American Legion/VFW, the First Annual Bombard Alumni Reunion will be held.
Organizers are asking $15 at the door. All other contributions may be sent to the Robert Bombard Alumni Scholarship Fund, Southbridge Credit Union, P.O. Box 307, Fiskdale, MA 01518.
Roach said the event is not intended as “a destination. Just stop in and reconnect. We’re hoping to build support for the scholarship. We’ll see how it turns out.”