John F. “Chip” Dobos II

WAYNE – John Dobos passed away March 15, 2023, with his best friend at his side, in Maine General Hospital, Augusta, Maine. Born Nov. 11, 1950, in New Kensington, Pa., he lived in Leechburg all of his early life. After graduating Leechburg High school in 1968, he obtained a bachelor’s degree in counseling from York College of Pennsylvania and master’s degrees in counseling and educational systems from Indiana University. Chip spent many years as an EMT and paramedic with the Indiana First Responders and Lower Kiski Ambulance Service. While in these roles he devoted time as an EMT/Paramedic instructor and fulfilled many leadership positions. He found a love for helping others and those disabled, but particularly as an ASL interpreter. He served as an interpreter for the deaf and as a counselor and manager in sheltered workshops. He loved and had a true talent for sign language. He taught American Sign Language at a college level as well as to family and friends. Often times he could be seen signing along to a song he was listening to or to a scripture passage as it was read in church. On down the line he later pursued a Doctoral Degree in Instructional systems from Penn State University. Chip became a systems analyst for Deloitte and Touche, Price-Waterhouse and Synovus. Following these positions he became a clinical analyst for Maine Health, serving various hospitals across the state of Maine for 16 years. Chip retired in 2021.

Chip loved the outdoors and spent time hiking, climbing, canoeing and kayaking. He shared this love with scouting organizations throughout Pennsylvania, Georgia, Maine, and many other areas across the U.S. He served as a scout leader at local district and council levels for over 20 years.

Chip’s Christian faith was a source of his strength. Raised in the First United Methodist Church of Leechburg, he went on to lead in various churches as a Verger, Trustee, Committee leader and audio visual consultant. An avid reader, he would engage friends and family in discussion of novels past and current, especially if they were sci-fi with a philosophical curveball.

Most importantly, anyone who knew Chip knew of his love, devotion and pride in his family. Never missing a family trip, soccer game, dance recital or cheer competition, he could always be seen catching the action on his big, clunky VCR, complete with tripod, and, most recently, his Samsung (no iPhone for Chip!).

Chip is survived by his wife of 36 years and best friend of 46 years, Elizabeth Held, his son, John Dobos III (Hannah) of Opelika Al, and daughters, Kathryn Dobos of Wayne, Alexis Dobos of Portland, and Anna, “Annie” Dobos (Winston) of Fairfield. The additional lights of his life, his grandchildren include: John Dobos IV of Opelika, AL, and Virginia Dobos, LJ Dobos and Micah Dobos, all of Wayne. He was predeceased by his mother and father, Thelma and John Dobos of Leechburg, Pa.

A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m., on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at Union Church in Belgrade, with the Reverends Ned Crockett and Eleanor Collingsworth presiding. 

Arrangements are in the care of Wheeler Funeral Home, 26 Church Street, Oakland, where condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the website at http://www.lawrybrothers.com.

In lieu of flowers and in honor of Chip’s love and commitment to his children, grandchildren and all those with neurodiversity, we ask donations to be made to the Autism Society of Maine.


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