David Keith Colbert  came to West Point as a representative of bedrock America. Raised in Miami, FL, the son of a police officer and an American Legion caterer and planner, David showed drive, leadership and academic achievement from an early age. He graduated from Miami Edison Senior High as class president, was voted “Most Likely to Succeed” and was recipient of the school’s highest honors for leadership, athletics and human qualities. He also had a fun-loving side. While achieving laudable honors and awards, he found time to develop a talent on the pool table that would follow him through the sally ports of West Point and beyond. 

Leaving the humidity of Miami for the summer heat of New York, David entered West Point in July of 1965 with the Class of 1969. Early on, classmates knew they could trust David as he was by nature a friend to all. He quickly emerged as the center of many cadet pranks while still achieving success in the classroom, on the athletic fields, and in military training. He was well known for the sheltering of a Floridian reptile early in his cadet career and later on managing investment opportunities for Saturday collegiate football games. Unfortunately, the reptile met an early demise and many cadets learned their less than skillful prognostication skills were to David’s financial advantage. Despite these activities, his sixth sense and street smarts allowed him to avoid major issues with the tactical department and, together with his academic acumen, ensured he had ample opportunity to pursue weekend and off-post interests as the years at West Point progressed. Perhaps the best sign of respect for David as a person and leader was his selection by his classmates as company honor representative during yearling year. David took these responsibilities very seriously and served in this role until graduation. At graduation, David was loved as a friend and classmate, respected as a leader, and admired by those who knew him.

David joined the Signal Corps upon graduation and soon proceeded to the basic course and Ranger School. With his schooling complete and after a stateside assignment, David had a tour in Vietnam where he successfully commanded a signal company. He returned from Vietnam and headed to Europe. Always a leader, David was selected for a second command while stationed in Germany. Looking for his next challenge, David headed to Syracuse University to pursue and attain an MBA. Completing his degree, he was assigned to Fort Lee to expand his expertise in financial management. During these multiple stateside and overseas assignments, David and Marcella had two sons, David and Christopher. In 1979, David left the Army. He chose to take his technical skills from the Signal Corps, his leadership experience from multiple Army assignments, and the financial management expertise of his MBA to join the telecommunications industry. In 1984, while advancing through the corporate ranks in the Washington, DC area, he earned a second graduate degree. He continued to excel in the commercial telecommunications field with several leading companies before the pull to return to his native Florida drew him back to the Miami area. 

While pursuing his military career and later his civilian industry opportunities, David’s character, developed at West Point and appreciated by his classmates, had the same positive impact and impression on his family. Chris, his younger son, saw a quiet, thoughtful father with a keen sense of humor. David’s humor could infect a roomful of people and bring them to laughter and tears of joy. With a twinkle in his eye, he could be impish and funny with friends and break into a belly laugh at jokes. David, his older son, saw an analytical mind that relished the challenge of competition. Father taught son to analyze both the mathematical odds and the opponent to find an avenue to winning. Both the serious and fun-loving sides of David stayed with him throughout his life, impacting his family, friends, and all who came in contact with him.

After serving his nation in both peacetime and combat, David K. Colbert returned to south Florida in 1995, where he felt at home and had always known he would return. In Florida, he met Deirdra and enjoyed nearly 20 years together with her. David enjoyed bass fishing, golf with Deirdra, sports and reading on a wealth of topics. He remained a gifted student throughout his life, kept his thirst for learning, and achieved success in both his military and civilian careers.

David was a devoted father, loyal friend, loving son and brother and a beloved husband. He was generous, kind, and above all a gentleman. He lived by the West Point motto of Duty, Honor, Country. He believed that setting an example for his family and friends was the best legacy he could leave behind. Anyone who knew David adored him. He will truly be missed. He is survived by his wife, Deirdra; his two sons, David and Christopher; three grandchildren; and his friend and the mother of his children, Marcella.

—Bill Foster, Classmates, Family, and Friends