Gombka,  William "Bill" 

William "Bill"  Gombka, 69 , died  08/11/09 in  his residence in Panther Valley, Allamuchy Township, NJ after five years with kidney cancer..  William "Bill" lived in  Panther Valley since 1997 coming from Morris Plains where he and his wife raised their children and was born in Peckville, PA moving to Rockaway, NJ as a child. on 05/22/40.

Husband/Wife of: Elisabeth "Betty" (Jacobsen) Gombka, his wife of 46 years

Son/Daughter of: late Walter and Mary (nee Verona) Gombka

Survived By: Wife-Betty Gombka at home
1 Son-David and his wife Deborah Gombka, York, S.C.
1 Daughter-Karen and her husband Paul Smith, Gabriels, NY
3 Grandchildren-Adam and Bonnie Gombka and Shannon Smith
predeceased by a daughter-late Susan in 1992

Occupation: He began his teaching career in Wharton, NJ moving to Frelinghuysen School in Morris Township and then to Morristown High School. During his career, he received several National Science Foundation grants, as well as a Geraldine Dodge Grant. Bill most enjoyed teaching physics classes and his students long remembered the many demonstrations lessons he used to illustrate and assist them in understanding physics principles.

Veteran Info: N/A

Additional Information:  Member of the Good Shepherd R.C. Church, Andover, NJ; he was a graduate of Rutgers University, Newark and received a Master's degree from Seton Hall University. He took up running in the 1980's and completed the New York Marathon twice as well as the Long Island Marathon and many local races. Bill also enjoyed hiking, biking and many outdoor activities. After retirement, he and his wife moved from Morris Plains to the Panther Valley section of Allamuchy Twp. He took up sketching and painting, using his skills to complete works from their many travels, both here and abroad. Bill volunteered with All Aboard for Hackettstown and the Warren County Chamber of Commerce. He will be missed by his extended family, his Breakfast Club and his many friends from his years of teaching and his various activities.

Visitation: Thursday, August 13, 2009, 2:00 - 4:00 PM and 6:00 - 8:00 PM at the Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High St., Hackettstown, NJ 07840

Services: Mass on Friday, August 14, 2009 at 10:00 AM- Good Shepherd R.C. Church, Rt. 517, Andover, NJ 07821

In Lieu of Flowers: Memorial donations to the Allamuchy/Green Township First Aid Squad, PO Box 25, Tranquility, NJ 07879

Interment: Holy Rood Cemetery, Morristown, NJ