| Graduation Year | Class of 1970 |
| Date of Passing | Mar 23, 2006 |
| About | Ray Wayne Colbert in Memoriam by Michael David Mills 3/23/06 Ray Wayne Colbert passed from this world consequent to Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease). My memories of Wayne begin in high school during the 10th grade. With 200+ students in our class and so many required classes and electives, it was unusual for any two students to share more than one or two classes. However, in the tenth grade, Wayne and I shared 4 classes, and in the eleventh, we shared all six classes, including Advanced Chemistry and Physics. It was only natural we inclined to become best friends. Beginning in our sophomore year at Georgia Tech, we roomed together, continuing through the first semester of our graduate year. We did most everything together, sharing tennis, movies, sporting events, concerts, mischief, and woes together. Once we decorated an appliance (not saying what it was) on the front lawn of our favorite Chemistry teacher, Mr. Burns. Another time, we presented our Physics teacher; Mr. Veal, with a commode decorated especially for him. I understand he kept it in his front hallway for over 20 years. We once climbed the wrong (East) side of Stone Mountain. After mounting the fence and walking around the gift shop on top, we had to go back the way we came, negotiating the steep grade without falling. The only alternative was to descend the (proper) west side and walk miles to our car, which would have been on the other side of the mountain. Wayne worked first at Doctors Hospital in Tucker, Georgia in the kitchen. He delivered trays to the patients, and washed the dishes. There was no one faster; he could wash 120 patient trays with all dishes and silverware in about 20 minutes. Wayne was like that; he was very kinetic and his hand-eye coordination was incredible. He later worked as a cook for several diner restaurants. He could handle 1000 breakfast orders in one shift. Even more remarkable, he kept his grill cleaner than anyone else. Wayne told me the manager set up a contest among all the cooks to see who could keep their grill the cleanest, but Wayne was not allowed to participate. It seems Wayne's grill was always the cleanest and he had to be excluded or there would be no contest. I remember Wayne for his intelligence and common sense. Gifted of a logical mind, he scored a perfect 800 on the math section of the SATs. I know of no one from our high school who matched that feat while I was attending. Many times I would come up with a plan or perspective, only to find Wayne could tear it apart without blinking an eye. In high school, neither Wayne nor I were especially comfortable around the young ladies. I recall only one double-date, which was not especially memorable. I remember Wayne was a leg man, and skinny legs were not appealing to him. Wayne and I shared a great love of music and we had a stereo system that was the envy of everyone we knew. I contributed the turntable (at first) and headphones while Wayne contributed the amplifier and speakers. We had a fondness for rock instrumental and jazz, but our great love was for classical music. Mozart was Wayne's favorite sleeping music. I remember once he slept through a class scheduled for 5 o'clock in the afternoon. I was surprised when Wayne left for England during the middle of our graduate year. I moved back home for the spring semester since I wanted no part of a new roommate after all these years with Wayne. I graduated and Wayne returned that fall (1975) with an accent midway between country Georgian and country northern English. He had also met Margaret during this trip, and was utterly committed to her in the way you cannot explain when a man discovers the love of his life. Wayne had a remarkable career as a Chemical Engineer about which I can tell you very little. I know all who worked for him and all for whom he work held him in highest esteem. I also know he made significant contributions to the technology that allowed oil production to become more efficient, thus saving energy. Wayne was funny (he told the constipated elephant - monkey joke like no other), loyal, honest kind and generous. When I was married, he sent two place settings in china when one would have been more than enough. I had no better friend in this life, and I miss him greatly. If there is justice, mercy and compassion in the afterlife, Wayne is in the best possible place. Let is celebrate the life, work and love of Ray Wayne Colbert. Men of his quality and character are rare indeed. |
