Edmund Kinzel Colby, 94, of Mankato, MN, passed away peacefully on May 9, 2026.

Ed was born on March 19, 1932, in Chicago, IL, to Lester and Elizabeth Colby. The family lived in an apartment in Evanston IL across from Northwestern University until 1937, moving to Missoula, Montana, in 1938. Ed attended Paxson grade school (where he met the love of his life, Patty). He attended Shattuck Military High School from 1948 to 1950 and graduated from Missoula County High School in 1951. Ed attended the University of Montana from 1951 to 1955 and graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree. He later pursued advanced degrees from Indiana University, Bloomington, completing an Ed.S. degree in 1960-61, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Montana in 1973.

Ed married Patricia Ann Thomas in June of 1954 while attending the University of Montana.

In 1956, Ed was activated by the Army Signal Corps. He was sent to the Army Pictorial Center Long Island City, NY. 2nd Signal Photo. In addition to the work he did at the Pictorial Center, he also helped to process Hungarian refugees at Camp Kilmer, NJ. Ed was discharged from active duty in July of 1958.

Ed then pursued a career as an educator in many different fields. He taught in elementary and secondary classrooms and instrumental music in 1959. Worked at Mankato State College, Mankato, MN, as an Instructor in Audiovisual Education and Director of Photography, 1961-62. Was the Director of Audiovisual Centralized Services for the University of Montana, 1962-1967. Returned to Mankato State as Audiovisual Director and Chairman of Audiovisual Education, 1972-1976. In 1984, he served as an Exchange Professor at Tamkang University in Taiwan. From 1989-1991, Ed was the Department Chair at Mankato State Library, followed by Executive Director of Libraries and Projected for Automated Library Systems, 1991-1994. Ed retired as Professor Emeritus in 1994 from Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Ed was known for helping lead the project at Minnesota State University Mankato to convert the paper card catalog to a digital format. He took great pride in being at the forefront of the digital educational world.

Ed and his wife, Patty, moved from Mankato in 1996 and retired to Seattle for the milder climate, to be closer to family there, and to be closer to their Flathead Lake, Montana, property, where they spent summers. This property was purchased in 1961 and has been the location of many wonderful family times and memories ever since. Ed and Patty returned to Mankato in August of 2020.

Ed was particularly proud of going to the Boy Scout World Jamboree in Moisson, France, in 1948. He was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and a member of Ascension Church, Seattle. He served as Senior Warden and Treasurer of St. John's Episcopal Church in Mankato.

Ed is survived by his wife, Patricia; Brother Conrad of Boise, ID; Children: Carol Voelker and husband Peter of Seattle, WA; Cliff Colby and wife Melanie of Mankato; and Cathy Colby of Mankato. Four Grandchildren: Oscar Kolbinger, Emily Kolbinger, Selena Voelker-Nichols and Madelyn Voelker and four Great Grandchildren: Koltin, Violett, Rory and Lander.

Ed was predeceased by his parents, Les and Betty Colby

A private family memorial will be planned later.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the University of Montana Flathead Lake Biological Station in Ed's memory.