CANTER President Lombardini dies at age 63

Bob Lombardini, president of the national and Michigan chapters of the Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses (CANTER) died Jan. 28. He was 63.

Lombardini was key in helping establish CANTER as a national organization, and one of the most recognizable resources in finding new homes and careers for retired racehorses.

“As an officer and friend of CANTER, Bob gave countless hours in this endeavor, sacrificing his time to help establish CANTER as a national organization, while still being actively involved in CANTER Michigan,” said Nancy Koch, executive director of CANTER USA. “He was that rare person that could run a successful business and be completely accessible to help our volunteers and our horses, sometimes at all hours. Losing Bob, a man who felt a need and a duty to support CANTER, saddens us all.”

Lombardini was a partner in Meier, Lombardini and Lemanski, an insurance company in East Lansing, Mich. He opened his farm in Williamston, Mich., to injured Thoroughbreds recovering from surgery at Michigan State University and mentored MSU veterinary students who cared for CANTER horses through their rehabilitation.