Robert Kominek

Robert Leonard Kominek, affectionately known as "Dr. K" to his patients and staff, and as "Bob" to his friends and family, a resident of Mobile, AL, passed away peacefully on February 15, 2025. Bob was born on August 5, 1929, to Jerry and Stella Kominek in Axis, AL. His parents were first-generation immigrants from what is now the Czech Republic. Bob grew up a "country boy" and in 1945, at the age of fifteen, graduated from Murphy High School. He earned a B.S. degree from Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University) in 1950, where he also met his future wife, Laura. After Auburn, he earned his medical degree in 1954 from the Medical College of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB).

Bob began his medical practice in Midland City, AL, before being drafted to serve his country. He was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, where he became a Naval Flight Surgeon, stationed first at Naval Air Station Pensacola and later at N.A.S. Cecil Field in Jacksonville, FL. After completing his tour of duty, he returned to Mobile and entered private practice with Dr. Max McLaughlin, forming Mobile Family Physicians on Dauphin Island Parkway. With a growing team of physicians, they served patients from all over Mobile County.

Bob was one of the last true general medicine practitioners, offering services from primary care to setting fractures, making after-hours house calls, delivering babies, and assisting in surgeries. He often said that delivering babies was his favorite part of his career, and he frequently remarked that he wished he knew how many children he had helped bring into the world. He truly loved being a doctor and cherished the relationships he had with his patients.

In addition to caring for his patients, Bob was deeply involved in the business side of their practice. He also served the broader medical community through various roles, including the Advisory Council of Providence Hospital and the Board of Directors of Doctors Hospital. He was a member of the Medical Society of Mobile County, the Medical Association of the State of Alabama, the American Medical Association, and the Academy of General Practice, on both local and national levels. He practiced family medicine for 54 years and retired at the age of 79, becoming one of Mobile's longest-practicing physicians.

Bob found his church home at Cottage Hill Baptist Church and later at Luke 4:18 Fellowship. In 2013, at the age of 84, he made a profession of faith and was baptized under the leadership of Brother Fred Wolfe.

Bob was a loving family man, and his happiest moments were spent with Laura and their family. They cherished their family trips and enjoyed playing cards, dominoes, and other games together. In his spare time, Bob was often in his yard, tending to his flowers and beautifying his home. In his later years, he enjoyed sitting on his swing, taking in the beauty of the outdoors, and watching birds at his feeders. A proud graduate of both Auburn and Alabama, Bob supported both schools but remained a devoted fan of Auburn. He held season tickets for Auburn football for over 60 years, and he and Laura tailgated with dear friends for decades. Even in his later years, he kept up with Auburn's sports teams and cheered on his beloved Tigers.

Bob's 95 years were marked by accomplishment, humility, true friendship, and unwavering love for his wife and family until the end.

Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 67 years, Laura Dillard Kominek; his parents, Jerry and Stella Kominek; his brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Peggy Kominek; his sister, Stella Reeves; his sister and brother-in-law, Mildred and Vaughn Frederick; and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Elizabeth and Joe Otto.

He is survived by his son, David Kominek (Karan) of Mobile, AL; daughters, Kaye Roberts Wilhelm (Mike) of Charleston, SC, and Leigh Ann Dismukes (Edward) of Mobile, AL; grandchildren: Alan Kominek, Melissa Williams (Kevin), Chelsea Guice (Dylan), Katelan Roberts, Jonathan Dismukes (Sydney), Susan Hooper (William), and Andrew Dismukes; great-grandchildren: Blythe, Sloane, Lydia, Sara, Cullan, Landry, Sissy, and Drake; along with being blessed with numerous nephews, nieces and other family members.

A celebration of Bob's life will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at Mobile Memorial Gardens, 6040 Three Notch Road, Mobile, AL 36619. Visitation will be from 9-10 a.m., followed by a service at 10:00 a.m. in the chapel. Pastor David Bullock of Luke 4:18 Fellowship will officiate. Burial will follow at Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

The Kominek family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the Saad family and their wonderful staff, particularly Dorothy Hazewood of Saad's Home Health Care, for her exceptional care of Bob during his last months at home, as well as the entire staff at The Retreat at Saad Hospice for their loving and compassionate care in his final days.