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Contact Info
Home Town Altoona, Blair County PA
Last Address Virginia Beach City, Virginia
Date of Passing Sep 28, 2012
Location of Interment Eastern Shore Chapel Cemetery - Virginia Beach, Virginia
Louis was a 1949 graduate of Altoona High School and enlisted in the Naval Reserve. In 1950, he entered the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps. All the billets at Penn State University, in his hometown of Altoona PA were filled, so he transferred to the University of South Carolina and graduated in 1953. He returned to Penn State, where he matriculated in graduate studies in economics. He furthered his education by earning a Master of Science degree at George Washington University in 1965.
From 1949-82, Louis proudly and lovingly wore his uniform, from seaman recruit to convoy commodore, when he was routinely recalled to active duty from retirement (1983-1993) to train with the U.S. Merchant Marine in the convoy of merchant ships in wartime. He served on destroyers, commanding the USS McCloy, USS Jonas Ingram and Destroyer Squadron 2. He spent five years of his career on aviation staffs embarked on Atlantic Fleet carriers and from 1968 to 1971 worked in the destroyer development program in OpNav, 213-230.
His final tour of duty prior to retirement in January 1983 was as chief of staff to Commander Carrier Group Eight. The three rear admiral aviators he served were Bob Dunn, Jim Service, and Jerry Tuttle.
Other Comments:
From the ASSOCIATION OF AVIATION:
LOUIS COLBUS, CAPT., born June 16, 1931, Altoona, PA, and has a MS degree. He joined the service in September 1949 and retired in January 1983. CAPT Colbus received the LOM (Legion of Merit).
Assignments: Commanded USS McCloy (DE-1038); USS Jonas Ingram (DD-938); Destroyer Squadron TWO, Carrier Division. He participated in the Cuban Blockade 1962-63, and Vietnam 1966-67.
Captain Colbus served on the Advisory Council of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society in 2010.
His final request: In lieu of flowers or charitable contributions, friends, family, and shipmates are encouraged to treat a friend to dinner.
Captain Louis Colbus, USN (RET) departed on his final deployment September 28, 2012 at Sentara Leigh Hospital, Norfolk Virginia.
Captain Colbus was born in Altoona, PA on 16 June 1931. Upon graduation from Altoona High School in 1949, he enlisted in the Naval Reserve. In 1950, he entered the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corp (NROTC). All the billets at Pennsylvania State College were filled; he transferred to university of South Carolina and graduated in 1953. Captain Colbus returned to Penn State where he matriculated in graduate studies in Economics. He furthered his education by earning a Master of Science Degree at George Washington University in 1965.
Louis is preceded by his former wife MaryJo Rierson. In 2002, Louis married Marie Daniels at Ohef Sholom Temple, member since 1975. Marie has a daughter, Angie, who is married to Carl Hooks; they have a son, Andrew David, and a daughter, Reilly Marie. The Hooks reside in Purcellville, Virginia.
Captain Colbus' survivors are his loving and beautiful wife, Marie; his son, Jonathan, his wife, Schrevia, and a son, Jacob; daughter Joanna Washburn; two children, Jenna and Jarrett; and brother Harry Saul Colbus of Baltimore, Md. Louis has a close and large family of cousins with whom he maintained contact and visited often. His friends are numerous and he considered shipmates as special family. When asked what his hobbies were, he answered, "Family, shipmates, friends, and places!"
From 1949 until 1993, Captain Colbus proudly and lovingly wore his uniform-from seaman recruit to Convoy Commodore when he was routinely recalled to active duty from retirement to train with the merchant marine in the convoy of merchant ships in wartime. Captain Colbus served in destroyers, commanding USS McCLOY, USS JONAS INGRAM, and DESTROYER SQUADRON TWO. He spent five years of his career on aviation staffs embarked in Atlantic Fleet carriers. He loved the aviation community and often stated he would be reincarnated as a fighter pilot since he liked to live like one.
Funeral services will be conducted at the H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts. Laskin Rd. Chapel on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at 1:00 PM. A graveside service will follow at the adjacent Eastern Shore Cemetery.
