Obituary of Gerald Byer Colman

Dr. Gerald Colman, 68, of Albany, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on December 26, 2008. Born in Attleboro, Massachusetts in 1940, he was the son of the late Joseph and Adele Colman. He was educated at Tufts University, Dartmouth Medical School, and Harvard Medical School, and practiced with the Plastic Surgery Group in Albany for over three decades. He devoted his life to the care of his patients and retired in April of 2007. Before moving to Albany, he was a Lieutenant-Commander in the U.S. Navy, serving as the officer in charge at the South Vietnamese Provincial Hospital in Quang Tri from 1969 to 1971. His service earned him the Vietnamese Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Medal of Honor, the Cross of Gallantry, and the Public Health Medal. In later years, he made several trips back to Vietnam as well as China, Russia, and the Philippines as part of Operation Smile, performing surgery on children with cleft palates and cleft lips. He served on the Board of Trustees of the Albany Jewish Community Center and was recently awarded a Pillars Award by the Center. He was Chief of Plastic Surgery at the former Child's Hospital and St. Peter's Hospital, and also taught as an associate professor at Albany Medical Center. He is survived and will be deeply missed by his beloved wife, Ruth Colman; his loving children David (Jennifer), Jonathan, Adam, Benjamin, and Rachel; his grandson Joseph Colman; and his siblings, Neil Colman (Beverly), Richard Colman, Linda Freeman (John), and Susan Colman. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at Congregation Beth Emeth 100 Academy Road in Albany on Sunday December 28, 2008 at 1:00pm Interment will follow in the Beth Emeth Cemetery in Loudonville, NY. Those who wish to make a memorial contribution may donate to the American Cancer Society, 260 Osborne Road, Albany, NY 12211 or the Community Hospice 445 New Karner Road Albany, New York 12205.