Richard Dombrowski

Richard Edward Dombrowski was born on January 20, 1955 in Chicago, Illinois to Veryle and Waclaw (Curly) Dombrowski. He died on March 3, 2025 in Richfield, Minnesota. Richard grew up in Aurora, Minnesota and graduated from A-HL high school in 1973. After graduation, he worked for the City of Aurora as a laborer for twenty years before retiring due to health issues. His favorite job was working on the city garbage truck. He loved to talk to people and said hello to everyone he met. Despite many challenges, Richard achieved his own personal brand of success and was able to meet many of his life goals. He loved to travel and spend time with family. Richard was an avid Twins fan and loved polka music. He had an uncanny ability to come up with obscure facts, dates and people’s names from years ago that no one else could remember. Richard was a very kind and generous person. He continued his legacy of giving by donating his corneas after his death. Richard will be dearly missed but he remains in our hearts and our memories.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his brother, John (Sally) Dombrowski and their daughter, Kaydee (Brad) Dombrowski Ziemer (children: Zurich and Zealand); sister, Denise (Lee) Armstrong and their sons: Brett (Holly) LaBare (children: Natalie and Zachary) and Jason (Karen) LaBare (children: Garrett, Sadie and Evangeline) and brother Alan (Luci) Dombrowski and their daughters: Jill and Jenna. 

Richard will be inurned with his favorite uncle, Ollie. Uncle Ollie had a heart of gold and greatly enriched Richard’s life. Life can be an uphill battle for people with special needs and Richard had first-hand knowledge of this. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to an organization that provides assistance to people with special needs. They are sorely underserved in today’s world and everyone deserves the chance to live to the best of their abilities. 

Memorial Service will be 11 a.m. Friday, April 11, 2025 at the Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora with Deacon Mark Skala officiating. Visitation will be one be one hour prior to the service with a lunch and fellowship at the Aurora American Legion immediately following. 

“There are no goodbyes for us, wherever you are, you will always be in my heart.” - Gandhi