Herbert Christopher Comben

It is with tremendous sadness that we have said goodbye to a truly loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and uncle. Herb will be missed by many relatives and friends nearby, across Canada and in New Zealand, Australia and Britain. He was born and raised in Calgary Alberta and lived in Kelowna BC for the past 43 years.

Herb was predeceased by his parents Greta Elford and Edward Christopher Comben and his brother Robert Edward Comben. He is survived by his wife Catherine Vivian Comben, daughters Shanda Aalbers (Larry), Calla Shaw (David), son Herbert Comben Jr, Grandsons Joseph Shaw, Tom Shaw (Emily), Matthew Aalbers (Emily), Great Grandsons Duke, Declan, Monty and Jayden, nephew Ted Comben (Dianne), sister in law Jessie Comben, brother in law George Evans Macfarlane (Maureen) Michael and James, and mother in law Marguerite Catherine Stack.

Herb cared for and looked after many people and was active in several organizations. He was recognized for all his many contributions by being named the City of Kelowna 1998 Male Citizen of the Year. He served on and provided leadership to many not for profit boards, especially Crime Stoppers of the Central Okanagan where he co-chaired, with Catherine the 1997 Crime Stopper International Conference. He also co-chaired the 1997 Central Okanagan United Way annual campaign with Catherine. Herb was a 40 + year member of Lions International, achieving many awards for his work especially as Santa Claus for over 20 years. In this role, more than $30,000 was raised for the Okanagan Mission Lions Club. Herb was President of the club for 1985-1986, Lion of the Year in 1985, a Melvin Jones Fellow 1994 – 1995, the International President Certificate of Appreciation for 2004-2005. In 2020, he received the Judge Brian Stevenson Fellowship in further recognition of his longstanding contributions to the Lions Club. In addition, Herb also was recognized by Rotary becoming a Paul Harris Fellow and in addition he received both the Golden 2002 and Diamond 2012 Jubilee medals from Her Majesty the Queen’s Governor Generals in Canada for his community work.

Herb had service careers in Telecommunications with AGT in Calgary and Edmonton for over 20 years and BC Telephone in the Vancouver area and subsequently worked in Kelowna and then retired here in 1994 after 22 years of service. While at BC Telephone, he managed several BC Tel First Aid teams as they competed on behalf of the company with great success. For this, he was inducted into the BC Tel Safety Team Program “Hall of Fame” in 1995.

On retirement, he used his technical skills as a devoted volunteer to the Interior Health Lifeline program as an installer/repairman for over 20 years. Later, Herb operated a Four Star rated Bed and Breakfast called Point of View for 7 years, as well as actively volunteering for the Junior Achievement school programs and as a Telus Community Ambassador.

Herb had also loved to curl in the winter, travel and cruises became his favourite way to see the world and visit friends in faraway places, including the Cook Islands where he and Catherine returned to several times. He also became a voracious reader, especially mystery stories by some authors such as James Patterson and David Baldacci.

Herb believed that it was important as a citizen, to give back to his community in whatever way he could. Herb’s life was full, though he died feeling there was still much more that could be done. His was a life well lived.

As Herb’s request, there will be no service. In memory of Herb, and in lieu of flowers, donations to the Rotary Club of Kelowna Foundation, the Okanagan Mission Lions Club and Crime Stoppers of the Central Okanagan would be gratefully received by any of these organizations.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.firstmemorialfuneralkelowna.com

Arrangements entrusted with First Memorial Funeral Services (Dignity Memorial) Kelowna, BC 250-762-2299