Stephen Colby

1947 - 2021

Colby, Stephen
March 13, 1947 - August 21, 2021

Born to Starr Colby, an aerospace engineer, and Jean Colby, a "computer" at Martin Aircraft, in Middle River Maryland. Raised in a house on the bluffs of Pacific Palisades, California overlooking the ocean. Inspired by Rachel Carson books as a teen, he wanted to be an oceanographer to help clean up the mess. At UCSB, he found the problem was not poor science, rather poor decision making. He followed the threads through political science, sociology, psychology, and philosophy to end with degrees in religious studies and economics. Liked to say he studies both immaterial and material theology. Early family training included frequently organizing large gatherings and community activities. At Santa Barbara in the 60's, he began a lifelong involvement in local government problem analysis for both professional and citizen groups. On to Washington University in St. Louis for graduate studies, then Boulder and 35 years with the State of Colorado on thousands of government facility and service projects; helping sort out the affairs of the Moffat Tunnel, the 700 million dollar Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action Project, and the state's mineral and energy severance tax. In 1977 Boulder at the CU Packer Grill, he met Ruth Peterson and joined in 42 years of marriage, raising three offspring: Jordan, a data manager, Kye, a Marine Corps Officer, and Eben, a renaissance man. In their large flat Boulder yard on the Hill he found big boulders to move about to build terraces and pods over 40 years.

To honor his memory, the family is requesting donations be made in his name to, The Wilderness Society, UC Santa Barbara Marine Science Institute, or Leave No Trace