Edward L. “Coach Eddie” Colbert, 91, of Dubuque passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 24, 2019 at UnityPoint Health- Finley Hospital surrounded by his family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:30 p.m., Saturday, January 26, 2019 at the Church of the Nativity with Msgr. James Miller officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery where Military Honors will be conducted by the American Legion, Post 6. Friends may call from 9:30 am to 1:15 pm, Saturday at the church. The Egelhof, Siegert and Casper Westview Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 JFK Road is in charge of the arrangements.

Ed was born on September 1, 1927 in Iowa City, Iowa the son of John J. and Delphine (Rummelhart) Colbert. He was 5th in a family of six boys and three girls.
His love of basketball started at an early age when he and his brothers played the game with an old Folgers coffee can tacked to the side of the house, using a tennis ball instead of a basketball.

After high school he served in the United States Army during WWII. He attended the University of Iowa on a baseball and basketball scholarship, majoring in history and minoring in physical education. He played basketball all four years and lettered his senior year.

On October 27, 1951 he married Darlene “Dolly” Gogg at The Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa.

In 1959 he started the men’s basketball team and helped build and coach the men’s baseball team at the newly constructed Wahlert High School. He coached, and taught history for 21 years. Throughout his career the Eagles basketball team made 10 state tournament appearances. In his final season Wahlert won their first Iowa State basketball championship.

When we wasn’t on the basketball court he enjoyed playing softball on the State Farm team. After retiring from Wahlert High School he was the Athletic Director and basketball coach at Clarke University.

Coach Eddie achieved numerous awards and gained much respect and recognition all over the state of Iowa. He was inducted into the Iowa Coaches Hall of Fame, the Softball Fast Pitch Hall of Fame, and the Basketball Coaching Hall of Fame.

During retirement he and Dolly enjoyed spending winters in Palm Springs. He loved being with his grandchildren.
Those left to cherish his memory include his seven children, Shawn (Judd) Turner of Waconia, Minnesota, Debra Rondeau of Minnetonka, Minnesota, Paula (Nick) Ruden, of Dubuque, David (JP Van Laere) Colbert, MD of New York City, Lisa (Todd) Hallowell of Pacific Palisades, California, Dan (Eriece) Colbert of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Mark Colbert of New York City; grandchildren, Laura Udelhofen, Nate Ruden, Dan Ruden, Zach Ruden, Katie Widman, Dawn Ramerth, Jesse Rondeau, Kyle Hallowell, Henry Hallowell, Marcus Colbert, Kendall Colbert, Janelle Colbert and Devon Colbert; great-grandchildren, Megan Gower, Griffin Ramerth, Ryan Udelhofen, Bennett Ruden, and Ryder Ruden; and four siblings.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dolly; grandchild, Luke Turner; and four siblings.

In lieu of flowers an Edward Colbert Memorial Fund has been established.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Bethany Home, Cozy Corner, Hospice of Dubuque and the staff at Finley ER and 5th floor.