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

Born in Littleton, NH on May 1, 1936, Dave was the son of the late Reginald Merton and Margaret Bedell Colby. He graduated from Littleton High School as valedictorian in 1954 and lettered in three sports, including a state championship in football. He pursued his love of science and sports while attending Bates College in Lewiston, ME on a Union Carbide scholarship. An outstanding baseball pitcher, his combination of power pitching and knuckleballing led to a contract offer from the Cleveland Indians. Despite his successes on the pitching mound, 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, CT. After receiving his Masters Degree in physics in 1960, he spent another year at Wesleyan performing research for the National Science Foundation.

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. At the age of 30 he received the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award for directing one of the largest-ever Fleet research exercises at sea, whose results still influence Fleet concepts, systems and doctrine. Dave continued his pioneering work in electromagnetics, organizational development, systems engineering, and leadership, shaping far-reaching national defense decisions. His career was perhaps best marked by his instrumental role in transitioning the Navy activity at Dahlgren from a river range-focused Proving Ground to today's full spectrum Research and Development laboratory as the Naval Surface Warfare Center. Yet with all of his accomplishments Dave was most known at work as a person with a genuine interest in people and their development, encouraging technical excellence and helping others to reach their career goals. His priorities were also evident when several times he turned down more lucrative assignments in the Department of Defense to spend more time with his family.

Dave's love for his wife, dedication to his family, and willingness to help others was an example to many in the small town of Colonial Beach, VA where he resided for 43 years. He was a founding director of the Colonial Beach Educational Foundation, raising over $800,000 in private funds to help design and construct the town's new high school in 1989. He also sponsored an annual scholarship in the name of his son, Army Sgt Stephen Rice Colby, who died in a plane crash in 1985 after returning from peacekeeping duties with the 101st Airborne in Egypt. After retirement he became a member of the vestry of St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Colonial Beach, leading Bible studies and helping others with their spiritual growth.

Dave passed on his interests in sports, science and engineering to his children, including being an avid reader and computer enthusiast. His greatest pleasure came from helping his children and grandchildren grow, learn, and become accomplished adults. Dave and his family shared a love of the Maine coast, spending their summers at Judy's parents' cottage at Kennebunkport, ME, which they rebuilt as a home in 2000. After diagnosis with ALS, Dave and Judy sold their Virginia home in 2005 and moved to a condo in Gambrills, MD to be closer to their daughter and treatment at Johns Hopkins.

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, TX; daughter Linda Colby Pautsch of Severna Park, MD; son Glenn David Colby of Hollywood, MD; nephew Scott Colby Ellis of Kennebunk, ME; niece Margaret "Peggy" Ellis of Astoria, NY; niece Sarah Sumadi of San Antonio TX and eleven grandchildren.

The family thanks Hospice of the Chesapeake for their unwavering support for the family and loving care of Dave.

Visiting hours will be on Wednesday, November 28th, from 6-8 p.m. at the Barranco and Sons Funeral Home at 495 Ritchie Highway, Severna Park, MD (www.barrancofuneralhome.com). Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, December 15th at 1:00 p.m. in the Severn Run Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 1624 Millersville Road, Millersville, MD (www.severnrunchurch.org). In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be sent to the Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401.