WAUKESHA, Wis. (SPECTRUM NEWS)- Bob Lombardi is a man who is all about routine.
Each day he begins his time at the Waukesha YMCA with a thirty-minute ride on the recumbent bike, then makes his way to the weight room. It is the way he has approached his workout routine for decades.
However, Tuesday, he broke with the routine for a very important reason.
More than 100 friends and family members joined Lombardi Tuesday for a celebration at the YMCA to commemorate his 77th year of being a Y member in Waukesha. It is a feat no one else has accomplished at the YMCA. It is something that Lombardi says means a lot.
“I call this my second home. If I don’t come here for one day, I feel I have missed something,” says Lombardi
Lombardi, 84, says he first caught a lucky break at age seven when a generous businessman stepped up to pay the $5 annual membership his family could not afford. Ever since he has been grateful and has worked to pay it forward. Lombardi has sponsored dozens of kids through the years to cover their memberships as well.
“I just hope it has helped them through their years of the YMCA that they will extend it. The same thing I have as far as giving to the youth, the big thing is to keep them off the street,” says Lombardi.
Paying it forward, while improving fitness goals and forming friendships in the process.