Thomas Andy COLBETH

Tom passed away Dec. 6, 2023 at age 95. He was the eighth and last surviving child of Andy and Mary Colbeth. He was born on the West Side of St. Paul, graduating from Humboldt High School class of '47. He was a proud U.S. Navy Veteran, serving post WWII on the aircraft carrier USS Philippine Sea. In 1947 he participated in the delivery of 6 land-based aircraft to Antarctica. He was most in his element outdoors, whether gardening or traveling with his wife of 60 years, Sharon (nee Schwandt). Over the years they had 3 self-customized extended vans all named the "Tin-tent" that they traveled extensively in to all the lower 48 states and Alaska. His adventurous spirit and love of hiking drove him to walk 50 miles in one day at age 55 and another epic solo 12-hour crossing of the Grand Canyon at 64. Tom also enjoyed rafting the Colorado with his children and grandchildren. Sharon always passed on the invite. Tom was predeceased by his wife, Sharon, in 2009. He is survived by his children Catherine (Gary) Schmitt and Mark (Leslie) Colbeth; grandchildren Erik (Suzanne) Schmitt, Emily (Doug) Furman, Lindsay (David) Jordan and Lauren (Erik) Johnson; great-grandsons Colba, Keir, Leif, Aven, Sykes, Lachlan, Arlo and Otto; sister-in-law Cheryl (Jim) Morelan; nieces Deb (John) Monk and Lisa (Mark) Pietig and their children. Out of his love for the sciences Tom donated his body to the U of M Medical School of Anatomy Bequest program.