Daniel J. Colombi, M.D.

Daniel J. Colombi, a retired obstetrician/gynecologist who was a longtime resident of Haddonfield NJ, died on May 21, 2022, at age 84.

Dan was born in Philadelphia PA (Saint Donato’s parish) to Mary and Peter Colombi, the first of three children. After St. Thomas More High School (1955), he received a BA degree (magna cum laude) from La Salle College (1959) and an MD degree from Temple University (1963). His medical internship was at Mercy Catholic Medical Center of Southeastern Pennsylvania and his residency was at Temple University’s Health Sciences Center.

Dr. Colombi was certified by the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology in 1969. He held a staff appointment and senior departmental positions at Methodist Hospital in Philadelphia; a staff appointment at West Jersey Hospital (now Virtua) in Voorhees; and a teaching instructor appointment at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.

Capt. Colombi served with the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam Conflict, at Clark Air Base, Philippines, and Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. He was acting chief of ob/gyn at both posts.

He was a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (NJ Section chairman 1994-97), the American College of Surgeons, and the New Jersey Obstetrical & Gynecological Society (president 1979-80). He was a member of the Camden County Medical Society, Medical Society of New Jersey, Philadelphia County Medical Society (chairman South Branch 1978), Pennsylvania Medical Society, American Medical Association, Obstetrical Society of Philadelphia, and Phi Rho Sigma Medical Society.

He played a leading role in the enactment of a New Jersey law allowing new mothers a longer hospital stay following the birth of a child – the so-called “48-96 Hour” law (the first in the nation). His advocacy was recognized by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in 1997 through its prestigious Community Service Award.

The son of a semi-pro baseball pitcher, Dan Colombi was an avid and knowledgeable baseball fan and had season tickets behind the Phillies dugout for many years. From 1979 to 1981 he was the most prolific contributor (under the pseudonym “The List Doctor”) to the “Lists” feature in The Philadelphia Inquirer’s sports section.

After Dan and Tish Colombi settled in Haddonfield in 1969, Tish became deeply involved in school, community, and church organizations. Dan wholeheartedly supported Tish’s decision to run for a seat on the Borough commission in 1985, but prudently stayed in the background throughout her 28 years as a commissioner and 12 years as the mayor.

A faithful member of the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church of Haddonfield, Dan Colombi served the church as a deacon and also led a Bible study group for many years. He was a proud member of American Legion Post 38 (commander 2009) and the Haddonfield 65 Club (president 2007).

Dan Colombi will be remembered for his skill and compassion as an obstetrician and gynecologist (including attending the birth of thousands of babies); for his leadership in the medical profession and his specialty; for his devotion to his faith and his church, and his daily exploration of the Bible; for his love of country, fellow veterans, and the American flag and the freedoms it represents; for his relentlessly inquiring mind, prodigious memory, wit, love of language and numbers (crosswords and sudoku), and beautiful handwriting; for his encyclopedic knowledge of baseball; for his black Cadillac convertible; and for his dignified response to debilitating disease.

He was his loving wife’s biggest fan, his devoted children’s hero, and his adoring grandchildren’s GranDan.

Dan Colombi is survived by his wife, Letitia G. (“Tish”); son Daniel R. Colombi of Concord CA; daughters Tiffany (Fred) Pollack of Haddonfield, Jennifer Colombi of Haddonfield; and Gabrielle (David) Heimerling of Cherry Hill; grandchildren Lexi (James O’Malley), Cole, and Max Pollack; Daniel, Stella, and Leo Heimerling; Avery and Callum Gallagher; and sisters Catherine Creel of Philadelphia PA and Elena Margolin of Downingtown PA.

Friends are invited to visit with the family at Kain-Murphy Funeral Services (15 West End Ave., Haddonfield, NJ) on Thursday, May 26, from 4 to 7 pm, and to attend a memorial service at the First Presbyterian Church of Haddonfield on Friday, May 27 at 10 am. Those attending are asked to wear masks. Interment will be private.

Friends are encouraged to fly the American flag on Friday, in Dan’s honor.

For those who wish to make charitable donations in Dan Colombi’s memory, the family suggests the First Presbyterian Church of Haddonfield (20 Kings Highway East, Haddonfield NJ 08033); Haddonfield 65 Club (110 Rhoads Avenue); and American Legion Post 38 (129 Veterans Lane).