Honoring the Memory
of Those
We Love

July 10, 1916 - September 24, 2016

Dr. James Raymond Dornenburg. Prominent Pittsburgh surgeon Dr. James Raymond Dornenburg died peacefully on September 24, 2016.

Born July 10, 1916, and married to Marjorie Parrish Dornenburg for 64 years until her death in 2009, Dr. Dornenburg is survived by four children, Judith Ann Gergich of Upper St. Clair, PA, James Richard (Cheryl) of Marietta, GA, John David (Louise) of Oakland, CA, and Jeffrey Paul (Nancy) of Simsbury, CT, plus seven grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Born in Carnegie, PA, son of Peter Dornenburg and Nora (McGrogan) Dornenburg, he attended Carnegie High School (Class of 1933) where he loved to play baseball. At age 16 he began college studies at the University of Pittsburgh where he received his medical degree in general surgery at the age of 24 (1940). He completed his internship at Mercy Hospital from 1946-49. During WWII Dr. Dornenburg attained the rank of Army Lt. Colonel while serving as a Medical Instructor at Fort Benning, GA. It was there that he met and married the love of his life, Army nurse Lt. Marjorie Parrish. Soon after their wedding on October 2, 1945, Jim and Marjorie left the Army and moved to Pittsburgh, PA, where they spent the rest of their lives. During his long and impressive career Dr. Dornenburg was affiliated with Pittsburgh, Columbia, and East Suburban Hospitals, as well as being President of Staff and Chief of Surgery at the Forbes Health System. He maintained a private surgical practice until his retirement in 1985. He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, American Board of Surgeons, and American Board of Abdominal Surgery. He served as the 116th President of the Allegheny County Medical Society (1981) and was Chairman of the Allegheny Professional Standards and Review Organization. He also served as a Board Member of Pennsylvania Blue Shield, and was particularly proud of the work he contributed to the formation of Allegheny County's first HMO, Keystone, where he also served as a Board Member. Jim was a founding member of the Parish Council of Saint Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin Church and School in Whitehall, which he led as President for many years. James and Marjorie traveled to many countries together, including the British Isles, Scandinavia, Germany, Italy, Hungary, and Russia. He enjoyed playing golf at South Hills Country Club where he was a member for over 50 years, and also enjoyed duckpin bowling, reading American history and biography, and watching sports. His family will cherish his memory and remember him with every family toast - "Here's to you, Jim, as good as you are." Friends will be received at the John F. Slater Funeral Home, Inc., 412-881-4100, 4201 Brownsville Road, Brentwood 15227, Monday 2-8 p.m. Funeral Prayer on Tuesday morning at 9:15 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin Church at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, family suggests contributions in Jim's memory to Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill, DePaul Center, 144 DePaul Center Road, Greensburg, PA 15601.