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Dr. David E. Gombar

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | December 09, 2025

Dr. David E. Gombar passed away on Monday, December 8th, 2025, in Charlotte, NC after a lengthy illness. He was 77 years old. He was born in McKeesport, PA on April 5th, 1948, and lived in Clairton, PA for most of his life, only moving to Charlotte in 2012 to be closer to family. He was a resident of Carmel Hills Retirement Community for the last 11 years.

He graduated from Clairton High School in 1966, where he played for the Bears football team as a halfback and safety. Upon graduation, the Pennsylvania Industrial Chemical Corporation awarded him an academic college scholarship of $500 per year for college tuition, which allowed him to be the first of his family to attend college. Upon arriving at Geneva College, he walked-on to the football team where the coach refused to give him a uniform due to his short stature. After the coach called David's high school to confirm that he had played high school football the coach gave him a uniform. Before the first game, David not only earned a spot on the team, but he also earned a starting position at both halfback and safety due to his tenacity and speed. Plus, he returned kickoffs and punts, thus never coming out of the entire games. After his freshman year he was awarded a partial athletic scholarship due to his performance on the football field.

David loved the sciences, especially biology, where he excelled academically. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Geneva College in 1970. Entering college his aspiration had been for medical school but while at Geneva College he was influenced by the growing mainline acceptance of chiropractic care. After college he diligently worked part time jobs to put himself through the prestigious Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. Upon receiving his doctorate in 1974, Dr. D. D. Palmer offered David a professorship teaching at Palmer, but David decided to join a very active chiropractic practice in Johnstown, PA that served as an excellent internship period. Two years later, in 1976, he opened his own practice in Pleasant Hills, PA where he practiced for the remainder of his career until he had to retire in December 2011 due to health reasons.

David was not driven to live a materialistic lifestyle and thus lived very modestly. This attitude was exhibited with him seldom sending uninsured patients bills for amounts owed. He simply asked them to pay, if able. Being such a passionate advocate for the proper place that chiropractic care could play in the healing process he was driven to help others heal.

David fought a courageous 14-year battle with cancer and other health issues. His family would like to thank all those who provided such excellent care during this difficult journey: the Atrium Health team of Dr. Moore, Dr. Burgess, Dr. Hanger and Pam, VIA Hospice and Palliative Care team of Dr. Caperna, Brandon, Mary Beth, Heather and Kristen as well as so many of the wonderful staff at Carmel Hills Retirement Community.

The family would also like to thank the many Carmel Hills residents for their love and care over the years for David. So many of the residents and staff loved him unconditionally and helped him with their compassion, kindness and prayers. They truly modeled Christ in following his teaching for us to “Love one another as he loved us.”

David is survived by his devoted brother Greg Gombar and sister-in-law Linda, his beloved nieces, Meridith Gombar and Katie Gombar, all of Charlotte.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ann Bernardi Gombar and Edward Andrew Gombar of Clairton, PA.

A Life Celebration will be held at Carmel Hills Retirement Community at a later date. Local arrangements by the A.J. Bekavac Funeral Home, 555 5th. St., Clairton, PA 15025 (412-233-5700). In lieu of flowers, please consider a tax-deductible donation to: Carmel Hills Retirement Resident Assistance Fund, 2801 Carmel Road, Charlotte, NC 28226-6393. www.bekavacfuneralhome.com

Originally published December 09, 2025.

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