Search by Name

Search by Name

FUNERAL HOME

Cantelmi Long Funeral Home - Bethlehem

500 Linden Street

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Richard Dobrowolski Obituary

Dr. Richard M. Dobrowolski, 79, of Lower Saucon Twp., passed away on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at St. Luke's Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. He was the loving husband of Gail (Thimons) Dobrowolski with whom he shared over 56 years of marriage. Born in Tarentum, PA he was the son of the late Richard and Helen (Drobka) Dobrowolski. Rich was a graduate of Tarentum High School, Class of 1960, where he was a standout athlete and football player. He received a full scholarship to play football at the University of Pittsburgh. In his last year at Pitt, he entered the school's dental medicine program, where he earned his DMD degree. He honorably served his country in the U.S. Navy, where he served as a dentist during the Vietnam War. Rich moved to Bethlehem and opened a dentist office, Dr. Richard M. Dobrowolski, DMD, now Bethlehem Dental Care, where he worked for 51 years, until retiring in 2018. He was a past member of the American Dental Assoc., PA Dental Assoc., Lehigh Valley Dental Assoc., and the Bethlehem Dental Society, where he served as past president. He was a long time member of Saucon Valley Country Club, since 1977. While not in the office, Rich had a passion for golf, the Pittsburgh Steelers and traveling with his wife and family. He was devoted to his family and his granddaughters were the light of his life. Rich touched the lives of so many over his lifetime and will be missed by all who knew him.

SURVIVORS: In addition to his loving wife Gail, he will be remembered by his sons, Craig Dobrowolski of Allentown and Brad Dobrowolski and his wife Diane Wagner of Bethlehem; loving granddaughters, Aubree and Lila; brothers, David Dobrowolski and his wife Karen of Natrona Heights, PA, Dr. Rodney M. Dobrowolski and his wife Caroline of Whitehall; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son Sean M. Dobrowolski in 2015.

SERVICES: A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at Cantelmi Long Funeral Home, 500 Linden St. Bethlehem, where the family will receive relatives and friends from 12:30 PM until the time of the service. The memorial service will be live streamed and may be viewed on Rich's obituary page. A memory tribute may be placed at www.cantelmifuneralhome.com.

CONTRIBUTIONS: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Bethlehem, 1430 Fritz Dr., Bethlehem, PA 18017 or to New Bethany Ministries, 333 W. 4th Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Morning Call on May 5, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Dobrowolski

Sponsored by Cantelmi Long Funeral Home - Bethlehem.

Not sure what to say?





June Neri

April 29, 2023

So many beautiful memories of your family.

June Neri

Barbara and Ed Gubich

May 23, 2021

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. We will miss him and his great smile.

Karen Samuels

May 17, 2021

My husband and I love being neighbors to Rich and Gail. The loss of Rich was so sudden and upsetting. We will miss Rich and will be there for Gail and for anything she needs.

Amy Trauger

May 9, 2021

Thoughts and prayers to Gail and the rest of the family. Dr. D was a genuine and caring man. So sorry for your loss.

Amy Majczan

May 8, 2021

Dr.D will be missed by many for sure. It was a pleasure assisting him before he retired. He was such a genuine and kind person. Could always make you laugh. Gone too soon. May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Paula Gilliam

May 7, 2021

Sorry for your loss prayers and love to the whole family. Sorry I was unable to attend but my thoughts are with you all.

Marge Bilheimer

May 6, 2021

I remember coming to Dr D's office circa 1968-69 when his office was across from St Luke's Hospital. He made coming to the dentist such a pleasure ! Loved watching his practice grow & taking my children there!
He left us too soon but glad he got some retirement in!

Larry Sadecky

May 6, 2021

Sorry to hear about the loss of a friend from Tarentum I have known since Little League. We lost contact for a while but recently connected by email. Rich and I shared many laughs and good times in the early years, and he will always be remembered . My sincere condolences to Gail and the family. God Bless. Larry Sadecky

June Neri

May 6, 2021

So sorry for your loss. Dr. D touched so many lives. Great memories of him and his family.

SHARON A STEIGERWALT

May 5, 2021

Gail and family: I was so disheartened to learn of Dr. D's passing. I will never forget his sense of humor and his passion for dentistry. He was a very caring and gentle man; who will be missed ...I enjoyed working with him and knowing the Dobrowolski family. My thoughts are with you during this time of mourning.

Marsha Romanik Riddle

May 5, 2021

Dave and Karen, so sorry for your loss.

Jim and Linda Forand

May 5, 2021

We send our sincere condolences to Gail and Rodney families on the loss of Rich. We enjoyed so many fond times on the golf course with Rich and Gail followed by dinners on Friday night at the Villa. May you be blessed with many fond times you shared with him as we send you our love and sympathy.

Jim and Linda Forand

May 5, 2021

We send our sincere condolences to Gail and Rodney and families. We shared so many fond memories with Rich and Gail on the golf course followed by Friday night dinners at the Villa. May you be blessed with the remembrance of the fun times with family and friends.

May 5, 2021

Thank you for your service to our country.

Rest In Peace.

Group of 10 Memorial Trees

Jim and Jan Lettrich

Planted Trees

Susan Wagner Hartney

May 4, 2021

Our thoughts and prayers for comfort and peace are with you.
Gary and Susan Hartney

Nicole yeager

May 4, 2021

I had the pleasure of working with Dr.D for a few years and not only was he an amazing Dentist. He was a truly genuine amazing person one of the best people I've ever met funny kind and patient. Truly a great soul

Nicole yeager

May 4, 2021

I had the pleasure of working with Dr.D for a few years and not only was he an amazing Dentist. He was a truly genuine amazing person one of the best people I've ever met funny kind and patient. Truly a great soul

Jaime Gerhart

May 4, 2021

I had the pleasure of working with Dr. D on Saturdays for a couple of years. He was always so kind to me and I enjoyed my time in the office with him. My sincere condolences to the entire family. He will be missed

Showing 1 - 19 of 19 results

Make a Donation
in Richard Dobrowolski's name

Memorial Events
for Richard Dobrowolski

May

8

Visitation

12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Cantelmi Long Funeral Home - Bethlehem

500 Linden Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018

May

8

Memorial service

2:00 p.m.

Cantelmi Long Funeral Home - Bethlehem

500 Linden Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018

Funeral services provided by:

Cantelmi Long Funeral Home - Bethlehem

500 Linden Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018

How to support Richard's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Richard Dobrowolski's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more