June 28, 1950 — April 20, 2006
A highly visible personality in many circles of the City of Chicago, and especially as head judge for over a decade at the International Mr. Leather Contest, passed over at his home on Thursday, April 20, 2006.
He is survived by a brother, James Dombkowski and his wife Elizabeth of Spencerport, NY; a nephew Christopher Dombkowski and his wife Karen of Colorado Springs, CO.; and his partner K. James Owen. A memorial service is scheduled during the International Mr. Leather Weekend in Chicago.
Mr. Dombkowski received his Bachelor�s degree from Notre Dame, and a JD from DePaul University. He left a promising career with the Internal Revenue Service to devote his life to the needs of people living with AIDS. He was instrumental in forming Chicago House; he was an employee of the Chicago Dept. of Public Health in the AIDS, gay and lesbian communities. Thom received many accolades including his induction into Chicago�s Gay & Lesbian Hall of Fame in 1992. He was also a guiding force in the Howard Brown Clinic of Chicago and, after retiring, made and succeeded in his plans to visit all 50 US states and the seven continents.
He was well respected and honored among many IML contestants offering guidance and encouragement to those who sought the title. His acute awareness of the responsibilities of the title were made evident to many who competed for the IML title. His frequent visits to the San Francisco Bay Area endeared him to West Coast leather people.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made in his name to the Leather Archives & Museum, the Chicago Gay Men�s Chorus, the Northside Grocery Center and/or Equality Illinois.