Edwin C. Colbern; Orthopedic Surgeon

Dr. Edwin Charles Colbern, a longtime Camarillo resident and former member of the Oxnard School District board, died Monday following an extended illness. He was 66.

Colbern, who was born Nov. 17, 1931, in Whittier, was a Ventura County resident since 1945. When the orthopedic surgeon retired from his 33-year medical career in 1994, his practice was in Oxnard.

Colbern graduated from Oxnard High School in 1949 and USC School of Medicine in 1961. He interned at a Los Angeles hospital and finished his residency in 1964 at Ventura County Medical Center.

He was a member of medical societies in Ventura and statewide, his family said.

Known by his family as “Fat Eddy,” Colbern frequently took long trips with his wife Elizabeth to visit their children. He was a pilot and spent more than 50 years flying small aircraft, his family said.

He was a member of the Quiet Birdmen and active with fellow pilots at the county’s airports.

Colbern was a member of the Oxnard school board in the 1970s and helped raise funds for youth sports and construction of the Santa Clara High School gymnasium, according to his family.

Colbern was a member of the Oxnard Elks Lodge for 35 years.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughters Gail Colbern Schwall of Pacifica, Nancy Frank of Ventura and Susan Heitman of Seattle; son Matt Colbern of Anchorage, Alaska; a brother, Robert Colbern of Oxnard, and six grandchildren.

Private services are being arranged by James A. Reardon Mortuary in Oxnard. A celebration of Colbern’s life will be held at the family’s Camarillo home from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ventura County Historical Society or the American Diabetes Assn. in Sacramento.