Henry Dombrowski Obituary

Hank, your are still missed.

I met Hank six years ago when I began working at Menards and he very quickly became a close friend. I had never met anyone so open and sincere and so accepting of who I was. In the long hours we spent after the store closed at night recovering the hardware department from the Christmas rush, he talked at length about his past, his dreams, his beliefs and his writing. He was by far the most intelligent person I knew and seemed to have carefully thought through and reasoned everything from his life experiences to his faith. He was also extremely quick-witted, and he could come up with some off the wall remark to make me laugh at a moment’s notice and when I least expected. He had the rare gift of being both an exceptionally good listener and someone who could talk intelligently about virtually any topic, and there was nothing I enjoyed more than long conversations with him over coffee at the Blue Angel. He was also uncommonly thoughtful and attentive. He would always stand so that he was blocking the sun from my eyes when we stood outside talking on our breaks at work, and even when he was off the clock and on his way out the door to begin his annual vacation at the end of October, he still turned back to make sure I didn’t need help when he overheard a customer at the register asking me a question about something in his department. He also had the odd quirk that, no matter where we went, he always ordered a Reuben sandwich and he always forgot to ask them to hold the tomato. We kept in touch even after I moved away from Illinois, and even though I only had the opportunity to see him three or four times a year and I missed him while I was away, it was always worth the wait to see the gleam in his eyes that told me he was pleased to see me and for another installment of his poetry and debate. Hank once asked me how he ranked among my friends, and I had not known how to respond, but the truth is that he was one of those special people that only come around once in a lifetime, and he is irreplaceable, and even had I known how it would end and the grief I would live with for losing him, I would not have traded his friendship for anything in the world.

It has been over 10 months since our Hank went to be with the Lord. His flash of a smile and warm embrace have been missed more and more as time has passed. There are so many memories...being his mom and watching him grow into a fine young man was a priviledge God granted me. I know he loved me. The many long night talks and lunches we had together, just going for coffee was a special treat. Spending quality time was one of his love languages.
i remember when Gramma Fran died, my mom, Hank was insistant in accompanying me after the funeral wehen our family went to pick up the flowers and clean up what we left behind at the funeral home. it was a special time we spent together in the car traveling, talking and sharing memories of our life with Gramma. He was her 1st grandchild and he loved her very much. He had such a tender heart. He stayed by my side and was my support. That was 1996 and he was soon to be 17. This was a milestone for him in our relationship. I no longer looked at him as a boy but as a man. He wanted to be part of a very serious (and hopefully not often) experience that was apart of my life. Being born and dying are part of God's p[lan for us here on this earth.
In God's Word (the bible), Solomon asked God above all for wisdom and received it. In Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 it says," For everything there is a season, and a time for every event under heaven. A time to give and a time to die, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. There is more, but these three verses have been life since Hank died. Hank accepted the Lord, asking Jesus to be his personal Lord and Savior when he was 5 years old. He grew to know Jesus intimatly and deeply in the following years. He grew to trust Him for everyhing. Then as we all do at times to different degrees, we wander away from the Lord, slowely a gradual disconnect. Jesus never moves away from us. It is we who take steps away from Him. We don't read, study or take time to be with Him through our Bible reading and prayer. We have friendships that pull us away from our best friend and Savior Jesus. Jesus is faithful. He will never leave us or forsake us.
There are paths Jesus will allow us to take to bring us back to Him. Some of these circumstances are not pleasant (and down right painful) but necessary to bring us back to our 1st Love Jesus. Jesus loved Hank... as a father does with his child, He has to correct and discipline them. The Lord does the same to bring us back to Him. Jesus is relentless in bringing us back if we have strayed. Hank is now resting,living, dancing, and flashing that smile in Heaven. I truly believe Jesus promises us heaven when we belong to Him. Hank realized that he was a sinner (as we all are) and needed someone to save him from his sin. When we ask for forgiveness from our sins (for anything that is not holy and perfect is sin to God), say with our mouths and believe in our hearts that Jesus is God's Son (sent by God as a ransom for our sin, to die in our place), God will welcome us into His family and we will be sons and daughters of God the father.
Hank did this at 5 years old and again proclaiming that he believed in 8th grade. In high school he again stood up in an assembly and proclaimed he would die for Jesus if asked to. God is a gentlemen, He will not come where he is not asked,but Hank invited Jesus into his life. HE SEES how much we can handle and Jesus will bring us back to Himself by any means necessary. IN THE FATHERS TIME HE CALLED HANK HOME (Heaven). No more temptation, sorrow or pain...only total joy, peace and fellowship eternally with God the Father and His own Son Jesus forever. No one whom God loves will ever be snatched from His Hand.
When you draw near to God, God will draw near to you. Admit you need Him...we can't do this life down here by ourselves without making a mess of it. Jesus is the only way. You who read this are so loved by us, Hank's family and our Savior. He died for you and me as a free gift. Surrender your life to Him and find true lasting joy, peace and the assurance of heaven.

Everyone's posts here are so lovely. Hank touched a lot of people in his time here and everyone who knew him (and a lot who didn't) know how warm and sincere a person he was.
The first day I met Hank the friend who introduced us said "everyone loves Hank" and it is so true. Throughout the years we were together it became a running joke that we couldn't go anywhere without running into someone he knew. Even in the airport on the way to Aruba for our honeymoon we bumped into an old friend of his!
He always took time to reconnect with those people too. Sometimes to the dismay of the people he was with he'd spend 30 min to an hour catching up and relating how he was doing.
That was just Hank though, part of who he was. It didn't matter how much time it had been since he'd seen someone, when they bumped into one another he'd pick the friendship up right where it left off.
That's why it doesn't surprise me so many people are feeling his loss even now. Hank didn't just float through life, he was a force. He made his presence felt even if it was in the smallest of ways: Treating his customers with that little extra care, taking the time to catch up with old friends, making sure he made it to family gatherings even if he'd just fall asleep once he got there. That was Hank.
I had the honor of being Hanks wife for seven wonderful years. We may have taken our time to "get married" but we were married in our hearts from the moment we met. The seven years we had together were the best of my life. Like so many others Hank touched my heart and changed me into the person I am today. My life would not be the same had he not been in it.
I love him deeply and always will. Hank was one in a million, and I do mean that literally. There's no one out there quite like Hank.

Hank you were a great man and a calming force. You inspired others and were always
easy to connect with. Thank you

Ned Leuchtner, Wilmette Illinois

Hank was an inspiration and a calming force
to me. We have done many renovation projects, and Hank had a special way to calm the anxiety and fear. I recently sent a customer to go meet with Hank to discuss a project to renovate a kitchen. I told my customer that " you need to go see this man, Hank Dombrowski, at Menard's in Niles.
I was deeply saddened to get a call back from my customer telling me that Hank had passed.
I saw Hank two days before Thanksgiving 2008. We were going down to Toledo to continue work on a project. A project that Hank had helped us with, in ordering materials. We had the maerials shipped to the new Menards in Toledo.
I will not soon forget the positive impact
felt from this good man.
Nice to know such an honorable guy.

Ned Leuchtner, Wilmette Illinois

I only knew Hank for a few years when he was a toddler. It was a shock to see his name in that section of the paper while doing some research. My sincerest condolences and prayers go out to the entire family. I’m certain that Hank will be watched over, but also know that he will care and watch over those he loves as he has left a little of himself in each of you. John 12:24. Vivat Jesus.

I am saddened and shocked to hear of Hank's passing. I worked with him when he was starting at Menard's, and I liked him right away. He was a man of good spirit, quick wit and most of all deep faith. Hank was a young man of real integrity and I always respected him for that. May your Spirit be at gentle rest and may
God comfort your family. I will miss you and think of you often.

We were created to enjoy the things that God gave us and to use our given gifts to glorify our Heavenly Father. Hank knew this and achieved this with his short life. The last lenghty conversation I had with Hank was over three years ago. Most conversations I had with him were lengthy, I liked that. He was a deep thinker, a truth seeker, a people lover and pleaser. When he chose his own way of doing things as a young adult, he did not go about it in hurtful ways even if his ways were different or contrary to the "norm". But he tried to be true to who God made him to be while allowing others to express their God-given talents, personallities and uniqueness.(Ironically, those same qualities I admired in you Chuck and Deb in your young adult years.) Like Little Laurie, the first infant I held was Hank, the year before I got married. His little life gave me a glimpse of the future joy I have since had with my three wonderful stoogies, Hughey, Louie, and Dewey. LOL Hank had the honor and the difficulty of being the oldest brother, oldest nephew on our side of the family; a position ordained by God. I think he handled it well! He is resting in the most beautful place an individual could ever posess and as an heir to the throne of his Father, along with his brother, Jesus, the King, he waits for the day we will all reunite for a never ending family reunion...what a party THAT will be!! My loved ones, Jess, Chuck, Deb, Zach, Jen, Matt, and Sonya(the last ones always most important), I leave you this...Titus 1:1-2 ...an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of truth which is after godliness; In HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE, WHICH GOD ,WHO CANNOT LIE, PROMISED before the world began..." Hank is with the One who cannot lie, who is the great promise keeper, who promises this same eternal life for all who accept His Son Jesus. As time goes by, throw off your rags when morning is done...it won't be long, live like the people of promise that you are and remember, the BEST is yet to come!!
All of our love, Aunt Lin and the guys

My first nephew and the first baby I ever held; I was 13 when little Hank came into our lives. Throughout his life he had an uncanny ability to warm the hearts of those he encountered with his smile, a joke, or some out-of-the-box expression on his t-shirt or passing through his lips for he was extremely quick minded and smart. He often made me laugh. To know Hank was not hard for he had a natural openness and sincerity for people. He was committed and hard-working, and yet gentle and searching for purpose in many of his life's experiences. Even though he was book smart, He loved to learn and gain knowledge through living life and enjoying the journey and the people he met along the way. Life was his stage. He was a great conversationalist and debater given the right topic, and an enjoyer of the simpler things in life like a good meal, a fine glass of wine, a night at the theater or a movie or spending time with friends and his wife in the neighborhood hang out or at home, or with family apple picking and Christmas Tree hunting, and things of adventure. By the way, he had an exceptional ability to describe the differences in an apple as if it was a fine wine tasting and an excellent eye for the perfect Christmas tree. He was a cornucopia of tradition and yet modern, grounded yet wanting to fly, holding on yet reaching out, grateful for what he had, but willing to work for more. Most importantly, he never took his life for granted. He loved, laughed, and worked to the fullest. He invested in others grasping the fundamental needs of everyone: to be accepted, to belong and to be loved. These are the things I remember of my nephew. I was always glad to know I'd be seeing him and cherished his hugs when we greeted each other at family events. He warmed my heart with love and gladness when he was here, AND with great joy I look forward to seeing Hank again in Heaven. So it is not good-bye, but just so long for now.

I just found out as of right now! I am so sad and my heart goes out to the whole family! I remember hank .... good ol st johm lutheran times, My sister and Hank were in the same grade! He was such a nice guy! YOU WILL BE MISSED HANK! BUT YOU ARE IN HEAVEN WITH OUR LORD ! REST IN PEACE FRIEND. I AM PRAYING FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!

RACHEL LEVENDOSKI

i never knew hank, but my deepest sympathy to family and friends of a life cut so short.

I just learned of Hank's passing yesterday, January 3rd. What a very sad loss for you and your family. I'm so very sorry. Hank walked me through all of the steps to remodle my kitchen. Without his kind patience and total respect for his cutomers and people in general, my kitchen would not be anything close to the beautiful room that it is. I am truly sorry for your loss, but want you to know that his insight has created a truly beautiful place for me and my family, and he will live on in the warmth of this room. His spirit will truly be missed. What a truly nice guy!

My god son and nephew Hank was a great guy. I remember the joy he brought us as he came into the world in May of '79 as many of us remember as we waited in the living room for his grand entrance. I enjoyed our times together taking him, my daughter Corrine and his bro. Zack to the Cubs game & to the Newsboys concert. I remember Hank enjoying the loud sound at the concert as he stood next to the speaker stack; he sure was into it - too loud for the rest of us, we sat further back. Apple picking was fun w/him as well. We will miss him at these type of events and family gatherings, but we are comforted that Hank knew and loved Jesus and is enjoying his time therenow. As my daughter wrote, we will see you again Hank! Live your life like Hank did, with Jesus and live it to the max! (Jn. 10:10) - Uncle Mike

I also worked for Hank at Menards. This man was a great leader and taught me a lot in my time there. He was always kind and helpful, understanding and a pleasure to work with. I hope that his family and friends find comfort. Know that the many, many people he has come into contact with are praying for you.

Hank was my manager at Menards for several years. His awesome laid back personality made the hectic Menards atmosphere tolerable. It is a true tragedy that the world has lost such a great guy like Hank. My thoughts and prayers go out to Hank's family and friends. God Bless.

My deepest sympathies to the Dombrowski family. I just couldn't believe it when I found out about Hank's passing. I met Hank while working at Menards in 1997. He was one of the sweetest, most caring, biggest hearted people I have ever met. He actually was my date for my senior prom in 97 and I couldn't have had a better time with anyone else. Even though I haven't had any contact with him for a while, I can still remember his laugh and smile. Just keep in your hearts the memories you shared and they'll help you get through this. I promise things will get better for you, they'll just be different without him.

HANK,
MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. I WILL KEEP YOU AND YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY IN MY PRAYERS!! LOVE, ROBIN

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

My deepest sympathies to the Dombrowski family. Hank was a good friend of mine throughout high school. He made the drama club more fun to be in. I am sorry I wasn't able to make the LHN 10 year reunion last year; it would have been great to reconnect. My thoughts and prayers extend to his wife Jessica. I know Hank was a very caring and funny person.

Jessica,
I can't even imagine how you feel right now. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you. We are thinking of you and wishing you strength to get through this tough time.

Hank was funny. He was kind. He was quirky. He was loving. He was never one to judge. He was always ready to lend a helping hand. Hank was genuine. There was nothing fake about him. His love for Jess was pure and honest. He was a protective big brother. He was thoughtful. He was giving. He was also a smarty pants. He was an amazing person. He was taken too soon. He had more of an impact on the people around him than people that live to be three times his age. I feel blessed to have him as a cousin. He made the family parties better. I, along with everyone that has ever been near him, will miss him. See you later Hank. We love you.

A feeling of shock and grief overcame me when I was informed of the tragic news. I worked with Hank for about a year and talked to him quite frequently. He was a kind, helpful, polite, and happy individual and will be missed by the many who had the pleasure of knowing him. Hank will remain in my prayers, and may my dearest condolences be accepted by his family. Rest in peace my friend.

My deepest sympathies to the Dombrowski family. Hank was a good friend of mine throughout high school and it was great to see him at our ten year reunion last year. He and his wife seemed so happy. I am so shocked and saddened of this untimely death. Hank, everytime I hear "What's Up" by 4 Non Blondes, I always think of the silly version we made up, changing the "Hey's" to "Hank's." You'll always have a special place in my heart and I will miss you.

Both of us are stunned and Heart-broken. Words are inadequate. We are thinking about all of you.

To Hank and all of his family;
My name is mike wilder, i worked with hank at menards, he was such a nice guy, we always talked outside while he was smoking a ciggarette, and i just want you too know not only was he a friend , but i concidered him to be family ... im so sorry for the loss and please except my condolenses... he will be missed <3

Our condolences to the entire Dombrowski family, whom we've known for many years. We can't imagine your loss and we will pray for your comfort and healing in the days ahead.

Hank & Family

My sincere condolences on your loss

My family and I just wanted to say that your family is in our prayers. I went to grade school with Hank, at Immanuel Lutheran. Later on to come to find out that he was my husbands boss at Menards for a short time until we moved to Eau Claire, WI. Hank will truely be missed.

I remember meeting Hank during the summer of 2001 through some common friends at a party. He had such a magnetic personality and a wonderful sense of humor. Over the course of that summer and the next few years, I got to know him better and learned what a sincere and caring person he was. He really enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and was always so much fun to be around. I couldn't imagine anything so tragic happening to him. My thoughts are with his family and friends. He will be missed.

I'll miss you buddy! Hank and I worked together at Menards for six years, I was 16 when I first met him and he was a year older. He was such a kind soul and never hurt anyone. Rest In Peace.

Words can not express how sad I was to hear this news. He was a great friend back in high school, and thought we haven't spoken in many years, my heart goes out to the Dombrowski family. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Jessica,
There are no words to describe how deeply sorry I am for you and your family. Take as much time as you need to heal and remember that family and friends are always there to support you during this most difficult time. My thoughts, prayers and sincere sympathies are with all of you.

Hank and Debra,My family and I express our deepest sympathy for your tragic loss. May God be with you.

I just want to say how sorry I am about your loss. Hank was my boss at Menards and he became a good friend. He was a very caring person and he will be so missed. My thoughts are with your entire family during this hard time.

Hank I am so very sorry to hear about your tragic loss. I know you are a wonderful family man, with a terrific family. My prayers are with all of you.

Hank, I am so sorry to hear that you have lost a child. He is so young. My thoughts and prayers go out for you and your family. I pray that you guys remain strong during this difficult period.

My deepest sympathy to all of the Dombrowski and Wolf family. I went to school at Luther with him and I would run into Hank after we graduated from time to time. He was a genuinely nice guy and I am very sad to of this loss to all of us.

Hank and Family, My sincere condolences on the death of your loved one. Your whole family will be remembered in my prayers, God bless you all. Tom Giese/019

Henry and Debra, I am so terribly sorry to hear of the loss of Henry. Please accept my sincere condolences. I just don't know what else to say right now.

My mom and I stumbled across the accident article and prayed that it was some other person. We were so sad and shocked to hear about what happened to Hank. Our deepest sympathies go out to all of you and we'll keep you in our prayers.

condolences to hank's family.
i knew hank from working at menards and was saddened to learn about his sudden passing away.

Just want to let you know how sorry I am for your loss. Though I did not know Hank, I do know you, Debra, and Zach and Sonya and know you are a loving, tight knit family who shines the love of Christ. Know you are all often in my thoughts and prayers as you go thru this painful time of loss.

Our sincere condolances on this sudden loss. Hank was dear to us as Matthew's best friend going back to grade school years. We thank God that we got to know, enjoy and love him.
Jess, Debra, Henry, Zach, Matthew and Sonya, Anton and Carol--We pray that God will comfort you and keep you close to his heart.