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Santa Clara University University of California| Berkeley

Stephen Dombrink Obituary

The Honorable Stephen Dombrink Feb. 21, 1944 - Dec. 3, 2011 Resident of Oakland Passed away on December 3, 2011, surrounded by his loving family, after a valiant 15-year battle with Multiple Myeloma. Steve handled his ordeal with his illness with strength, courage, hopefulness and a sense of humor, making him an inspiration to those around him. Proud of his Oakland heritage and the century long Dombrink family history in the East Bay, Steve earned his diploma from St. Elizabeth's High School, and greatly enjoyed planning and attending a recent 50th reunion with his classmates. He received his BA degree in 1965 from Santa Clara University and maintained lifelong relationships with a number of the friends he made there. He treasured having spent a memorable year in Rome, an experience that sparked a lifelong love of Europe. After receiving his JD degree from Boalt Hall Law School (UC Berkeley) in 1968, he moved to Washington, D.C. where he served for four years with the Navy's Judge Advocate General Corps. After studies in Paris, he returned to the East Bay, where he joined the Crosby, Heafey law firm and where he met and fell in love with his wife, Debi. Later he became a partner at the firm of Chandler, Bruner and Dombrink. The highlight of Steve's career was his appointment as an Alameda County Superior Court Judge, where he distinguished himself for 20 years on the bench, retiring last year. Colleagues knew him as a dedicated, thoughtful, and caring judge who was fair and evenhanded. Known for his remarkably calm disposition, optimism, quick wit, self-effacing manner, intellectual curiosity and wry sense of humor, Steve was a man of culture. He loved and was completely dedicated to his family, and his greatest joy was spending time with his sons, family and friends. He also enjoyed traveling, reading, listening to a wide variety of music, watching the 49ers, A's and Giants games, and taking walks through his neighborhood and the Big Trees State Park. Steve is survived by his wife of thirty-five years, Debi Baird Dombrink, his two sons, Michael and Mark Dombrink, his sister Marilyn Salazar, his step-mother, Betty Dombrink, his step-brother, Don Whelan, his aunt Norma Anderson, his beloved nieces and nephews, his sister- and brother-in law Beverly ("Sister") and John Zanarini, and his many cousins. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to St. Anthony Foundation in San Francisco or Corpus Christi School in Piedmont. A service celebrating Steve's life will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Waterfront Hotel in Oakland.

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Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Dec. 10 to Dec. 11, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Stephen Dombrink

21 Entries

Rhonda R Harris

December 2, 2020

I worked with Judge Dombrink for at least five years. He was a compassionate, kind and fair boss, and I consider myself lucky to have been a part of his work family, and I think of him often.

Donna Galasso Rissone

March 4, 2012

Debi, I just learned of Steve's passing. Such a wonderful, honest, warm person. On behalf of our Classmates at Loyola Rome center, please accept our collective condolences. Some of us would dearly like to correspond with you, Colin Campbell, one by name. May your faith in God carry you and your family forward.

Margrit Schulz

December 25, 2011

Steve was a warmhearted cousin with a good sense of humour. I will always be connected to him in my mind. When Steve visited us (his German cousins) for the first time in 1963 I was the youngest of his cousins (13 years). All of us were very excited and Aunt Aenne (a former teacher and the head of our family) said that her apartment was the biggest so we had to wait for Steve at her home. However, in the night I dreamed that he would come to the house of my parents so I decided to go on my bike to our house to wait for him there on my own. One hour later the dream came true and Steve stood in front of our door. Then we both took our way to Aunt Aenne.- We always were laughing about that story when he visited us in Germany during the last forty years. I will never forget him. He was such a lovely person. Love Margrit

Linda Goldfarb

December 20, 2011

Though I hadn't seen Steve in 2 years, his unswerving good humor, especially in the face of any adversity dealt to him, was remarkable. If we can all have a small dose of his spirit to guide us through the ups and downs of our lives, we would all be a bit better off--. Steve, you were an amazing, strong, brave, and mist if all, good man. The mark you left on all those whose lives you touched will never be forgotten. Linda

Tom LaMarre

December 15, 2011

Steve was a senior when I was a freshman at St. Elizabeth's and gave me friendship and guidance. That he did so well in life is no surprise because I could tell then that he was a person of character.

Jim Green

December 14, 2011

Steve was a classmate at Santa Clara, a fellow lawyer whom I would see fairly regularly over the years, either at Reunion functions, or in Court. He was a breath of fresh air, and more so once he took the bench. Several years ago I appeared before him for a trial call, which turned into a settlement conference, which-despite his efforts to resolve, did not because of the position taken by the other party. Later, I tried the case before a different Judge, and saw Steve last at a Santa Clara function last year. He remembered the case vividly, asked how it came out, and I commented that a good victory was attained. He was pleased, we talked about life generally, never a complaint from him, though it was evident he was ill at the time. In the more than 40 years I knew him, I cannot recall a frown, a negative comment, and the tributes to Steve seen here, underscore what a fine man he was. I will miss him.

Barbara Dell

December 13, 2011

I am virtually speechless and sad hearted in hearing of the passing of Judge Dombrink. As his courtroom clerk for almost five years immediate preceding his retirement in 2009, I saw him put aside his ego and exhibit an air of fairness; something the media and the public often feel is lacking in the court. He had a way of allowing self-represented parties as well as attorneys, the latitude of court time which gave them a sense of “having their day in court”. He mentioned upon retiring in 2009 how I had made his last few years on the bench so enjoyable to work and we joked about him not retiring, but what he had not realized is that working with him brought great joy to me. I will miss his homespun quick wit and his kind and generous spirit.

Susan Stuchlik

December 13, 2011

Judge Dombrink was a favorite of many people. I loved working with him.

david hicks

December 12, 2011

What a grand heart and decent human being we had as a lawyer. One could look forward with pleasure to appear before him, knowing he would listen and do the right thing, whatever it was. A lawyer who feels the profession is diminished greatly by the Dombrink family's loss. Thank you Steve, just for being--magnificently.

Gene Mabrey

December 11, 2011

I am really going to Miss the Judge. Only knew him through contact and work with the Judge in Oakland Family Court. He really impressed me as just a Good spirit who happened to be a judge. What ever he did, or people he interacted with, surely saw the Judge for who is really was, which I a convinced was an example of a man who had the courage to live his life leading with his heart.
I am greatful for having the opportunity to enjoy his kind presence.

December 11, 2011

Steve
You were an inspiration and a delight. When you were a senior at St. Elizabeth and Jeff Woodfin and me were freshman there, you took us under your wing. You mentored us at school and had us over to your house a few times, which was unheard of in those days. I have never forgotten that. May you rest in peace and be blessed in your new eternal dwelling.
Craig Sobrero

Rhonda Harris

December 10, 2011

It was always an honor to work with you, for you and around you. You are greatly missed, your most dedicated court reporter.

Hannah Sims

December 10, 2011

Judge Dombrink, you were a good and lovely man, a thoughtful judge, and your silly giggle and ready smile will always be what I think of first when I reflect on your presence in my life. You were so kind and your mentorship was invaluable. I think I had my first trial in front of you when I represented a father who had been the victim of some awful allegations. You stopped the trial after petitioner rested and failed to meet her burden, saying that there had been a travesty and that this child had been robbed of a father. I think the entire courtroom was crying, even you. That's the kind of man you were, the kind of judge you were, and I would imagine that was the kind of father you were.

Be at peace, Judge. You will be missed.

Richard Petersen

December 9, 2011

Steve was (is) my first cousin, and good friend. I will truly miss him. I will always be impressed with his cheerfulness and good humor up until the end. May God bless him and his family.

Rosanne Lippert

December 8, 2011

Steve was an inspiration to all of the members of his high school reunion committee. He opened his home for our monthly meetings, where we reminisced and laughed ourselves silly, and renewed friendships. Thank you for that, Steve. You will be missed.

Mike Seereiter

December 8, 2011

"Gently they go, the brave, the tender and the kind. I know. ..."
I will miss you.

Gary Cretan

December 8, 2011

All the representations here of Steve's character are wholly accurate. It was an honor and a pleasure to work with him. Always helpful to his peers and staff alike, a big dose of the humanity from our bench retired with him.

Deborah Wanzo

December 8, 2011

Mrs. Dombrink, my prayers are with you and your family, Judge Dombrink was such a wonderfully caring person with great wisdom. I am thankfull for the 4 1/2 years I was priviledged to work with him as his Family Law courtroom clerk. Love you guys. Deborah Wanzo (Oakland, CA)

Marian McNicol

December 8, 2011

Steve was a true gentleman, very strong and couragous. My thoughts and prayers are with Steve's entire family, especially my friend, Debi, as well as all his other friends and colleagues.

William Albrecht

December 8, 2011

No words can help, only time will heal your saddness..our thoughts and prayers are with you always Bill and Jo

Kathy Fanning

December 8, 2011

We miss our dear friend.

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