By Régulo Moreno | Observer Contributor
Is being called a hero enough to embody heroism truly? Or does real heroism come from being willing to share your experiences with humility?
Take John Blombach, for example. At 77 years old, he’s not just a mentor and academic consultant in the Learning Success Center located in the Mount Wachusett Community College library. He’s also a shining example of lifelong learning, who went from signing up for classes here at the Mount at the age of 60 to currently being enrolled in law school.
Originally from Keene, New Hampshire, Blombach holds dear the values instilled by his Christian upbringing and remains connected with his larger family. His sister Sally, a retired educator from the Perkins School for the Blind, continues to inspire him with her constant dedication to learning. From his time in the Navy to becoming a farrier, real estate developer, and now a law student, “JB,” as he goes by, is a “true Renaissance man.”
For starters, Blombach is a veteran. However, being an avid boater, he enrolled in the United States Navy in 1967. Throughout his years of service, he was never assigned to a ship. Instead, he was stationed at Jacksonville, Florida, Naval Air Station, where he developed his love of flying.
Finishing his tour of active duty in 1969, Blombach worked in the family farrier business for the next 50 years as one of only a few dozen in the entire state, shoeing horses to provide for his family. He learned this trade from his father.
He retired in 2015, but before that, he learned about a program at MWCC offering free tuition for students over 60. That opportunity reignited a dream he had set aside for decades. “Education for me isn’t about a destination—it’s about the journey,” Blombach shared.
Blombach started classes at MWCC in 2012 and graduated in 2015 with an associate degree in Liberal Arts from MWCC. From there, he pursued a bachelor of science degree in Geography and Environmental Studies at Worcester State University and is currently attending law school at Texas A&M, focusing on environmental law. He says he had no idea he would be capable of such studies because he had not been in school since 1970.
Blombach is among the increasing number of veterans with college degrees. According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs report, between 2000 and 2009, the percentage of veterans with an advanced degree was higher than that of non-veterans each year and increased significantly over the decade. This population has increased 31.9% for men and 43.4 % for women.
Beyond academics, Blombach’s hobbies are as thrilling as a character in a spy movie, like 007 or a superhero in a Marvel film. He’s a licensed construction supervisor, real estate developer, and commercial pilot who has flown to far-off destinations such as Alaska, Labrador, and the Bahamas. When he is not flying, he rides Harley-Davidson motorcycles, collects antiques, and spends time with his close-knit family, which includes his wife of 51 years, a daughter, a son-in-law, and a grandson.
As a mentor at MWCC, Blombach encourages students to embrace education at any stage of life. “You’re never too young or too old to learn. If you want to succeed in college, show up and do the work. That’s all there is to it. You can’t miss if you commit,” Blombach said. “Do it while you’re young, and you’ll have a life beyond your wildest dreams.”
Comments are closed.