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Edward G. Colbert M.D.
1927 - 2008

Edward G. Colbert, M.D., renowned psychiatrist, international humanitarian, loving husband, committed father and enchanting grandfather, passed away peacefully, July 20, 2008, in the presence of family, after suffering complications from a fall and head injury. He was 81.

On June 13, 1927, Ed was born the only child of banker, Edward J. and teacher Helen A. Colbert, in the state of New York. Raised in Flushing, Long Island, he attended parochial schools and at the age of 16, graduated from St. Anne’s Academy as its high school valedictorian.

After attending one year at the Christian Brothers’ Manhattan College, Ed left and enlisted in the United States Navy the final year of World War II. While serving as a Hospital Corpsman in San Diego and Boston naval hospitals, he became fascinated by the miraculous recoveries of extremely “shell-shocked” servicemen, leading to his initial interest in the field of mental health.

After an honorable discharge, Ed returned to Manhattan College and received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1949. He next attended Marquette University School of Medicine in Milwaukee, Wis., and after graduating in 1953, took up residency in psychiatry at the University of California Los Angeles in Southern California. He found his calling and a new home.

Ed began his medical career in 1959 as Director of the Xavier Clinic at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, the medical center’s first psychiatric service. Shortly after moving to private practice in 1961, he published the first American article on the utilization of lithium in treatment of bipolar disease for the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA). The exposure from that historic feature launched Ed as a communicator in his field, leading to regular appearances at community meetings, editorial work for medical newsletters, university lecture engagements, a guest appearance on television, and offerings of leadership roles in prestigious associations, organizations and boards. Among them: President, National Guild of Catholic Psychiatrists (1970-71). President, Los Angeles County Medical Association, Bay District (1975). President, Los Angeles County Catholic Physicians’ Guild (1975). Member of the Campaign of Human Development (U.S.C.C., 1970’s).

After his retirement in 1993, Ed moved to Ventura County and redirected his energies to humanitarian projects (here and in Mexico), public health affairs, church activities and politics. Among the groups he contributed countless volunteer hours: Chair, Bio-ethics Program, L. A. Catholic Medical Association (1996-99). Chair, Ventura Catholic Health Care Association (1999-2000). Member of the Republican Ventura County Central Committee (2002). Rotary International (current member in Camarillo; former President in Pacific Palisades). Member of the Board of Directors at St. Johns Seminary, Camarillo (current). Recruited for Catholic “3rd Order” of the Knights of Malta (current). Creator of Padre Serra’s film library and its returning program, “Reel Spirituality” (current). Advisory Board of the Camarillo Health Care District (current). Volunteer for Camarillo City’s Committee on Aging (current). Volunteer for Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (current).

Ed’s personal love story involves two marvelous volumes with similar names: With his first wife, garden writer and television personality, Mary Therese “Teddy” Colbert (married in 1954), Ed had seven children, Chris, Tom, Paul, Beth, Peter, Jeanine and Teddy II. A half year after his wife’s untimely death in 2001, Ed fell in love with another gem called Mary, this one named Mary Dady, after an introduction at daily Mass. With their 2003 marriage, Ed was blessed with four step-children, Mark, Jenny, Peter and Jon.

Just months ago, Ed’s extended family saw him honored as Camarillo’s “Senior of the Year.”

He also leaves behind nine adoring grandchildren, hundreds of friends, along with the countless recipients of his unstoppable, can-do spirit.

Now angels are sporting a bumper sticker on their left wing, admonishing them on their rounds: “What would Ed do?”

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The RAIN Project (for homeless Ventura County families) in Ed’s name: 805-485-6288; or through website: http://www.volunteerventuracounty.org/org/12538070.html

Public viewing time: 6 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 25, Chapel of the Hills, Conejo Mountain Funeral Home. Vigil: 7 p.m. Friday, Conejo Mountain Funeral Home.

Funeral Mass viewing (prior to service): 9:15 to 9:45 a. m. Saturday, July 26, at Padre Serra Parish, 5205 Upland Road, Camarillo, CA 93012.

Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. Saturday, at Padre Serra Parish.

The burial will immediately follow at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park, Camarillo.

Published in the Ventura County Star from 7/22/2008 - 7/25/2008

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Colbert, Edward G. (MC1949)

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