David Bruce Colby

GAMBRILLS, Md. — David Bruce Colby, 71, lost his courageous three-year battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) on Nov. 20, 2007, at his home in Gambrills, Md., with his beloved wife Judith Rice Colby at his side.

After his retirement in 1996, they spent summers at their home in Kennebunkport.

Born in Littleton, N.H., on May 1, 1936, Dave was the son of the late Reginald Merton and Margaret Bedell Colby.

He pursued his love of science and sports while attending Bates College in Lewiston on a Union Carbide scholarship. An outstanding baseball pitcher, he received a contract offer from the Cleveland Indians. Dave chose to forgo baseball in his final year at Bates to concentrate on his studies, graduating with honors in physics and mathematics in 1958.

A week after graduation Dave wed his college sweetheart, Judith Ann Rice, before heading to Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn., where he received his Master's Degree in physics in 1960.

In 1961 Dave began a distinguished 35 year civil service career, with the last 25 years at the senior executive level. Starting at the former Naval Weapons Laboratory in Dahlgren, Va., his career encompassed assignments at the Office of Telecommunications, Executive Office of the President, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

Dave was preceded in death by his son Stephen Rice Colby in 1985; and sister Carolyn Colby Ellis in 2004.

He is survived by his wife Judy; sister Susan Colby Sumadi of San Antonio, Texas; daughter Linda Colby Pautsch of Severna Park, Md.; son Glenn David Colby of Hollywood, Md.; nephew Scott Colby Ellis of Kennebunk; niece Margaret "Peggy" Ellis of Astoria, N.Y., niece Sarah Sumadi of San Antonio, Texas; and 11 grandchildren.

Service notice — Memorial Services will be held Saturday, Dec. 15 at 1 p.m. in the Severn Run Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 1624 Millersville Road, Millersville, MD. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to: Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401.

Arrangements by Barranco & Sons Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.barrancofuneralhome.com.