Harold (Hal) Kolbe

Harold William Kolbe, the oldest of six children of Saraphine Emma (Welsand) and William Kolbe, was born on October 12, 1918, in Young, Saskatchewan, Canada. His family came to the United States from Canada in October of 1923. He grew up in Fairmount, North Dakota where he graduated from high school. Harold, fondly known as "Hal", continued his education by attending Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, graduating in 1940 with his teaching degree. He attended Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts and joined the United States Navy, serving his country from 1940 to 1947, as a Communications Officer, stationed in the South Pacific. Harold received his MA degree from San Jose State University in San Jose, California in 1979.

On May 16, 1942, Hal married Lorraine Kizzier in Omaha, Nebraska, and their marriage was blessed with two children, William Lee and Deborah Ann.

Hal first taught and coached in Pacific Junction, Iowa, and then in Beardsley, Minnesota. In 1950, they moved to Santa Cruz, California, where Hal began teaching at the Natural Bridges School. In 1964, he became principal of the school, where he remained until his retirement in 1988. Hal was a charter member of St. Stephen's Lutheran Church and a member of the California School Administrators Association. He and Lorraine had been married 59 years when Lorraine passed away in 1998.

Hal married Flossie Marie (Powles) Robertson in Oahu, Hawaii on October 20, 2003. They made their home near Pacific Junction, Iowa and Hal's family grew to include Flossie's children, Rodney, Duane and Debra.

Hal loved "living in the country" and enjoyed caring for his yard, sports, television, fishing, traveling, and especially spending time with family and friends. Hal was an active member of the Pacific Junction United Methodist Church and was a Lifetime Member of the V.F.W. He especially enjoyed working with the Veterans of Post No. 7064 in Tabor, Iowa. He was a member of the Military Retired Officers Association and a member of the Navy Fleet Reserve.

Hal and Flossie had been married nearly six years when Hal died at the Glen Haven Home in Glenwood, Iowa on April 24, 2009, at the age of 90 years, 6 months, and 12 days. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Lorraine; daughter Deborah Kolbe; brother Norman Kolbe and his wife Edith; sisters, Viola Kolbe and Vivian Bezenek; and stepson Rodney Robertson.

Hal is survived by his wife Flossie Robertson Kolbe of Pacific Junction; son William Kolbe of Sacramento, CA; brother Lowell of Wahpeton, ND; sister Vera Gilles of Desert Springs, CA; four grandchildren, Kevin Kolbe and wife Felicia, Brittney Kolbe, Chad Kolbe, and Mariah Kolbe, all of Sacramento, CA; stepchildren, Duane Robertson and wife Carol of Pacific Junction, and Debra Niimi and husband Alan of Universal City, TX; step daughter-in-law Beth Robertson of Le Mars, IA; 8 step grandchildren; 5 step great grandchildren; nieces and nephews and many friends.

Private Interment at the Glenwood Cemetery.

Memorials suggested to Pacific Junction United Methodist Church or United Methodist Women.