Dr. J. Robert Dornish

Dr. J. Robert Dornish, 82, of Hanover Township, PA, died peacefully on November 30, 2019, surrounded by his family, after a long struggle with cancer.

The eldest son of the late John and Ethel (Shramko) Dornich, Bob was born in Easton, PA, on October 21, 1937.

Bob graduated from Belvidere High School, Trenton State College, Rutgers University and attained his doctorate from Lehigh University. He began his career as an elementary school teacher in Belvidere, NJ, taught in Flemington, NJ, became the principal of Glen Gardner School at the age of 24 and was a Professor of Education, primarily at Kutztown University where he taught children’s literature for over 29 years. He was well respected in his field and over the years was asked to do many presentations on children’s literature to teachers and school librarians in Eastern Pennsylvanian and New Jersey. The annual Children’s Literature Conference at Kutztown University was established in his honor in 1999.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Alice (Rac) Dornish, his sons; Bradley Dornish and his wife Deborah, of Pittsburgh, PA, and Ryan Dornish, of Lopatcong Township, NJ, and his brothers; Richard Dornich and his wife Charlotte of Delaware and Barry Dornich of Belvidere, NJ. Bob is also survived by his grandchildren; Amanda (Dornish) Rizzo and her husband Richard and great-granddaughters, Liliana and Valentina Rizzo, of Garden City, NY, Brandon Dornish and his wife Lauren and great-grandchildren, Sloane, Maeve and Tommy, of Pittsburgh, PA, and Colin Dornish and his wife Caitlin and his great-granddaughter Callahan, of Pittsburgh, PA. He is also survived by his nieces and nephew; Dawn, Dennis, Denise, Cheryl and Whitney.

Viewing Hours are scheduled for Friday, December 6, 2019, from 2 to 4 PM and from 6 to 8 PM, at the Finegan Funeral Home, 4080 William Penn Highway, Palmer Township, PA. There is an additional Viewing Period set the following day, Saturday, December 7, 2019, from 9 to 9:45 AM, at the Notre Dame of Bethlehem Church, 1861 Catasauqua Rd, Bethlehem, PA, with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10 AM. The entombment will then be held at the St. Mary Mausoleum, located in the St. Mary Cemetery on 5th Avenue, Alpha, NJ.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Good Shepherd at Home, 850 S. 5th Street, Allentown, PA, 18103 or to Notre Dame of Bethlehem Church, 1861 Catasauqua Rd, Bethlehem, PA, 18018.