David C. Kolbe

David C. Kolbe, 70, of Durango, Colorado and formerly of Warsaw, Indiana, took his last breath at home on April 12, 2025, at 6:24 a.m. after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. David was born on January 21, 1955 to Robert and Catherine (Ogden) Kolbe in Clearfield, PA, where he lived for his first five years. His family later lived in Libertyville, IL for his grade school years, and then moved to Bremen, IN where he graduated from Bremen High School as salutatorian in 1973. He attended DePauw University in Greencastle, IN for two years and completed his studies at Indiana University South Bend. He received his Juris Doctor from Valparaiso University Law School in 1981 and began his career as an attorney in private practice in Warsaw, Indiana. He served one term as the elected prosecutor of Kosciusko County from 1995 to 1998. He cared deeply about serving his clients to the best of his ability and found it rewarding to fight on behalf of those who could not fight for themselves. A lifelong learner and educator, he enjoyed teaching as an instructor of political science and law at Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne. He also loved teaching Sunday School and most recently taught at Trinity United Methodist Church in Warsaw, IN—even appearing via Zoom from his home in Durango, CO after moving there in September 2023 to take a position as Assistant Deputy District Attorney in the 6th Judicial District of Colorado.

David combined his love of teaching and traveling when he became a senior visiting professor with the Center for International Legal Studies based in Austria from 2008 - 2019. He thoroughly enjoyed two-week assignments teaching law students about American Criminal Law in Ukraine, Latvia, Poland, Hungary, Austria, Czech Republic, Albania, and the Republic of Georgia. He loved meeting students and professors, learning about their countries, and cherishing the friendships he made. He also enjoyed many trips to northern Michigan, St. Augustine, FL, and an annual 4th of July visit to Clearfield, PA for the Ogden family reunion. He also frequently visited Southwest Colorado and finally followed his dream of living in the mountains by moving to Durango.

David married Kathy Manges on May 21, 1983, in Bremen, IN. She joined him on many of his travels, and they explored the Scottish Highlands for their 40th anniversary in 2023, where David attempted to summit Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the British Isles. David loved nature—especially trees and mountains—and, in the 1990s, he and Kathy built a custom log home on a 22-acre property south of Warsaw, IN, where he planted over 3,000 trees by hand. With the help of his sons, he developed part of the land into a certified U.S. Fish and Wildlife wetlands preserve, which has been enjoyed by many over the years. He biked and hiked as much as possible, and enjoyed reading, writing, playing golf, and spending time with his family and his beloved goldendoodle, Missy. You can read the story he wrote about the prophetic dream that led him to adopt Missy in 2017 here. David relished being a dad of six sons and a daughter. He enjoyed coaching baseball and soccer when his children were young and enthusiastically attended their sporting and musical events as they grew older.

David will be missed beyond words by his large and loving family, as well as by the many friends, clients, colleagues, and acquaintances whose lives he touched around the world. He was a brilliant and forward-thinking man, with a deep well of political and historical knowledge, sharp discernment, and an instinct for justice. His intellect was matched only by his curiosity, passion, and warmth—qualities that left a lasting impression on everyone he met. A proud descendant of the historically significant Ogden family, David embodied a spirit of adventure and bold individuality. He carved his own path and encouraged others to do the same, always believing fiercely in their potential. His courage, big heart, contagious laugh, and the unique spark he brought to the world will not be forgotten.

David is survived by his wife, Kathy; seven children – Dan of Claypool, IN, Bryan (Catie) of Chicago, IL, Aaron of Burket, IN, Bekah (Brian) of Durango, CO, Nathan of Indianapolis, IN, Stephen of Claypool, IN, and Matt of Durango, CO. He is also survived by two siblings, Robert Kolbe, M.D. (Lu Ann) of Bremen, IN, and Joanne (Dave) Kolbe Taylor of Warsaw, IN. He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter Elizabeth, and a grandson Lucius.

A memorial service will be held at Summit Church in Durango, CO on April 16, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. Mountain Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time). The memorial will be available to view via live stream at this link. A celebration of life will be held in Warsaw, IN at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made to Summit Church in Durango, CO or St. Jude’s Children Hospital.