Thomas E. "Tom" Kobrick

Thomas E. Kobrick, 87, passed away on October 26, 2021. He is survived by his three children, Patricia, Colleen, Thomas, and granddaughter Ursula.

Tom often spoke about what he learned growing up as the son of a carpenter - his love of architecture, the value of hard work and working with his hands - measure twice, cut once, he'd say.

Those values led him to serve his country in the US Army. He was stationed in Germany where he met his future wife and best friend, Ursula. That launched a love affair that would carry them both through the rest of their lives. Together they had three children and eventually settled in Allentown, PA [in a home they built with their own hands].

He would say his career was born from a series of lucky opportunities offered by those willing to take a risk on him. But anyone who met him would say Tom was a man who was determined to find a way. He was the first full-time Environmental Health Engineer in the coal industry and would go on to celebrate a career at Bethlehem Steel that spanned 38 years. His positions were diverse - starting as Manager of Safety and Health, and closing his career as the General Manager of Building Operations and Services, during which he cared for the beloved Martin Tower, or as his kids called it, "Dad's building".

He loved his work and was proud of the technological innovations that were adopted through his influence. But others would say his greatest gift was how he treated those around him and the effect that his mentorship had on them - sometimes unknowingly changing the course of someone's life by paying forward what had been offered to him.

For a hobby, he designed and built houses, when he wasn't working on cars or tinkering with a gadget. He loved working with his hands and doing home improvement projects - although his wife would sometimes challenge his adherence to his dad's advice of "measure twice, cut once".

During his wife's six-year battle with cancer, he was her champion - taking it upon himself to find a way. While the years after her passing were difficult, he developed the habit of reminding his kids to enjoy life and not let anything stand in the way of their happiness.

He rarely missed an opportunity to express his love for his family and friends. He was grateful for his life, which he described as a good one with no regrets. He will be loved and missed - for his charming personality and good nature and for his dedication to his values - by the many lives he touched along his journey.