Donald Gene Corbin

Don was born on June 2nd, 1935 to Otto and Alma (Brunsell) Corbin in Bottineau, North Dakota. He developed a passion for the outdoors during his childhood years, hunting and fishing with his father in the Bottineau and Lake Metigoshe area. Don graduated from Bottineau High School in 1953. He attended the University of Montana in Missoula, Montana, earning his bachelor’s degree in Forestry in 1958.

After graduating from college, Don returned to the Bottineau area and joined the Army National Guard. Shortly after attending officers’ training in 1961, his engineering unit was called into active duty during the Berlin Crisis, resulting in his deployment to Ft Lewis, Washington until the crisis subsided in 1962.

Don earned his teaching certificate from Minot State University and began his high school science teaching career in Dunseith, North Dakota. In 1964, he accepted a teaching position in White Shield, North Dakota, then taught in Garrison, North Dakota from 1968 through the early 1970s. Don later managed the American Legion Club in Garrison through the mid ‘70s.

Don married Irene (Reuter) Corbin in 1976 and, shortly thereafter, they moved to Ft Collins, Colorado. Don taught high school science at Poudre High School until he retired from teaching in 1992.

Don had many close friends throughout his life. He was a member of the Elks Club in Ft Collins and would stop down often to say hello and play cards. As an avid hunter and fisherman, he took frequent trips with family and friends to explore new areas – always returning with a colorful story about their latest adventure. Don was an avid gun collector – he enjoyed the local gun shows and would often “trade up” to improve his collection.

Don and Irene moved to Mesa, Arizona after Irene retired in 1995. They enjoyed traveling throughout the states and abroad, stopping frequently to spend precious time with family and friends. When home, Don enjoyed evenings with a bit of scotch while watching his collection of WWII documentaries. Don and Irene moved back to Ft Collins to be near family and friends in 2017.

Don is survived by his wife, Irene, daughters Dawn (Doug) Rensch and Terri (Glen) Houghton, sons Bob (Lynette) Corbin, Mark (Jessie Schmidt) Corbin and Scott (Lisa) Corbin, stepsons Mark (Dalia) Rodahl, Dean (Allyson) Rodahl, Roy Rodahl, and Scott (May) Rodahl, brother Larry (Diane Craven) Corbin, sister Patty (Ernie) Miller, and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations can be made in care of Don’s name to Fort Collins Elks Lodge, 1424 E Mulberry St, Fort Collins, CO 80524.