Norman H. Colby Dec. 2, 1927 ~ Oct. 8, 2010 Resident of Walnut Creek Norman H. Colby died from complications of cancer at his home of 38 years in Walnut Creek, CA. Norm, a native of Omaha, Nebraska, was a Contra Costa Newspaper Reporter for many years. He covered crime, school and government beats for a succession of area newspapers after moving to Contra Costa County 1955. His longest was 16 years with the Richmond Independent (Richmond, CA). Norm was a member of the Contra Costa Press Club, serving as its secretary for ten years, and the Devil Mountain Men's Barbershop Chorus of Walnut Creek for 25 years, singing baritone and handling their publicity. He was an associate member of the Contra Costa Peace Officers Association and the Society of the US Army 3rd Infantry Division. He participated in productions of the Contra Costa Musical Theatre and the Masquers Playhouse of Richmond. Norm received two first-place feature story awards from the Contra Costa Press Club and "Barbershopper of the Year" and "Sparkplug" awards from the Devil Mountain Chorus. He graduated from the US Army Infantry OCS at Fort Benning, Georgia and Dartmouth College (cum laude). He also attended the journalism school at the University of California, Berkeley. During three years of military service, he was a 2nd Lieutenant Infantry Training Instructor at Fort Knox, KY and attended Leadership School at Fort Riley, Kansas. Norm is survived by his loving companion of 38 years, Patricia McCormac; and his three children Mark of Antioch, Claire of Pittsburg, PA and Philip of Portland, OR, as well as two grandchildren. Graveside Service will be held at 1pm on Monday, October 18, 2010 at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 1965 Reliez Valley Road, Lafayette. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to support Kaiser Permanente Hospice-Martinez, 200 Muir Rd., Martinez, CA 94553.
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