Gerald Colbert

Colbert Dr. Gerald Colbert, 78, passed away Monday, April 27, 2015 at the Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Sarasota, Florida. He is survived by his beloved wife of 32 years, Linda (Chapin); their five children, Terri (Colbert) Levine, Scott Huff and his wife, Elaine, Kathleen (Huff) Oelberg and her husband, Charles (Duffy), Jennifer (Colbert) Wilkens and her husband, Adam, and Michael Colbert; five grandchildren, Jason, Jared, Courtney, Sarah and Connor; sister-in-law, Ronna Colbert; niece, Danielle (Colbert) Nausbaum and her children, Zackary and Ari; and many dear friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Arnold and Naomi (Henkin) Colbert, brother Lawrence Colbert, and niece Stacey Colbert. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Dr. Colbert lived in Dublin, Ohio before retiring and relocating to Sarasota, Florida. He was member of Temple Israel in Columbus, Ohio and Temple Beth Shalom in Sarasota, Florida. Dr. Colbert attended Kent State University and completed his undergraduate work at the Ohio State University, majoring in Microbiology. He graduated from the Ohio State University College of Dentistry in 1963 and completed his three-year residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the State University of New York at Buffalo and its affiliated teaching hospitals. During his time in Buffalo, Dr. Colbert taught courses in Maxillofacial Surgery at the State University of NY Buffalo and Millard Fillmore Hospital as well as Pathology at Millard Fillmore Hospital's School of Nursing. Dr. Colbert's original research articles published in the Bulletin of the Millard Fillmore Hospital, included "Maxillofacial Injuries, Identification and Treatment", "Infections of Dental Origin with Six Year Review of Cases of Head and Neck Infections", and "Comparison of Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase, Glutamic Oxalacetic Transaminase and Lactic Dehydrogenase Levels in Serum and Saliva". He served in the United States Navy as a Lieutenant Senior Grade base Oral Surgeon at Parris Island and practiced as an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon for over 40 years in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Colbert served as Chief of Maxillofacial Surgery at Mount Carmel East Hospital and Chairman of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Library Committee at St. Anthony's Hospital, both in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Colbert held several prestigious leadership positions throughout his lifetime. He served as President of Eastern Optimists, and Commander of the Columbus Sail and Power Squadron where he taught Inland and Coastal Navigation, Seamanship, and Piloting courses. He was also active as a Diplomat of the American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; a Fellow of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; a member of the American Dental Association, the Columbus Dental Society, the Ohio Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and lifetime member of the Ohio State University Alumni and Dental Associations. Dr. Colbert was a member of the Professional Association of Diving Instructors and the Ohio State University Sarasota-Manatee Alumni Club. Upon retirement, he was active with the National Rifle Association and taught gun safety and concealed carry courses. A Tribute and Celebration of Life will be held at the Ohio State University's Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St., Ohio Staters, Inc. Traditions Room, on May 28, 2015 from 6-8 p.m. Kaddish at 6:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name can be made to the American Cancer Society; or consider planting a tree in Israel through the Israel National Fund (JNF) or shiva.com.