Dr. Charles "Charlie" Colbert

November 27, 2020

Dr. Charles “Charlie” Colbert Music Educator and Performer Dr. Charles “Charlie” Lee Colbert, 91, of Boynton Beach, passed away in his home last Friday, November 27th. A lifelong musician who shared his love for music through both performance and teaching, Charles lost his battle against pancreatic cancer but leaves behind a legacy of sharing his passion for music. Born in the small town of Felicity, Ohio, to parents Forest Lee Colbert and Frances Fugett, Charles and family would move to the rapidly growing Cincinnati suburb of Norwood, Ohio to seek work during the Great Depression. Charles attended Norwood High School where his love for performing music began as he developed his skills on the clarinet and saxophone. Charles, along with some fellow classmates, created his first dance band, “Charlie Colbert’s Purple Shadows”, playing various events and venues around the greater Cincinnati area. Upon graduation from high school, Charles accepted a scholarship to study clarinet at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. When his father’s work with General Motors took the family to the Cleveland, Ohio area, Charles continued his education and completed a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Baldwin Wallace College (BW) in Berea, Ohio. Upon Charles graduation from BW, the Korean Conflict was raging. Facing the likelihood of being drafted, Charles enlisted in the United States Air Force and was assigned to the 691st Air Force Band. Stationed in the Philippines and Japan, Charles spent the next four years using his musical talents in the support and entertainment of the troops. Upon returning from his overseas service, Charles embarked on a career leading both high school and college bands and music programs at a number of institutions, including Bay Village High School and Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Morris Harvey College (now the University of Charleston) in Charleston, West Virginia, and Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio. During this time, he also completed his Master’s degree in Music Education at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and continued course work there toward a Ph.D. in Music Education. Charles and family would later move to the sunshine state where his career as a music educator and professor took him to Brevard Community College in Cocoa, Florida and John Carroll High School in Fort Pierce, Florida. Charles also served on the faculty of Barry University and Palm Beach State College where he taught Music Appreciation and Jazz History courses, remaining professionally active through his late 80’s. But throughout his lifetime and career as a music educator, Charles, known as “Charlie” to his musician friends, also pursued his passion for playing and performing all genres of music to audiences. During his tenure at Brevard Community College, the “Charlie Colbert Orchestra” was formed. Comprised of many of the college music majors, the big band became very popular playing every Friday and Saturday night for dinner and dancing at George’s Steakhouse in Cocoa Beach, as well as for cruises out of Port Canaveral and many other Space Coast venues. Charlie’s professional woodwind playing also included opportunities to perform and tour with the Russ Morgan and Johnny Long big bands. Charlie also played for major performers including John Denver, Tom Jones, Donnie and Marie Osmond and the Guy Lombardo Orchestra. In addition, he played in the pit orchestra for several Broadway show performances at the Burt Reynolds Dinner Theatre in Jupiter, Florida. During his retirement years in Florida, Charlie lead and played with a number of local big band groups, serving as a founding leader for the “Fusion Machine Big Band”. The band has been continually performing for dinner and dancing at Benvenutos in Boynton Beach for nearly 20 years. In addition to his love of big-band and swing music, Charlie’s depth of skills across all woodwind instruments also had him playing bassoon, flute, and clarinet in a number of community bands and orchestras throughout Palm Beach county. As a passion-driven music performer and educator, Charles shared his love of music with both audiences and students throughout his career. Charles is survived by his loving wife of fifty years, Linda Ann, his sons Scott and Christopher, his daughter Deborah, and five grandchildren. A brief military honor service for Charles will take place on December 8th at 11:00 AM at the South Florida National Cemetery. To view more pictures of Charles, his family and the amazing life and memories shared with others, please use the link below: https://photos.app.goo.gl/oc5CBpx3w6XSsQr68