Dr. Michael Warren Colburn, DPM

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Michael through his wife jean I work with jean for a long time at kaiser and spent many wonderful years hearing about grandchildren and children growing up. I met Michael a few times and he was just the sweetest person to know I wish I had had time to get to know him better. It was a beautiful person.

My heart. I knew Mike since our Cory days. He was my first grade school bf. We held hands under the desk.
Later on, as 4th graders, Denise and I would ride up and down my street, Boxwood Drive, trying our best to get Mike to chase us.
We shared classes in high school and then life happens. It wasn't until 2006 when I broke my foot and went back to Kaiser for my cast removal.Low and behold, there's Mike! We caught up in that little room, sawing my cast off and floroscope. I was mortified. 8 weeks of leg hair and fake tan was inside that cast!!
He told me he'd seen worse. Haha.
Talking at the reunion I was happy to see Jean and him as we headed out.. Hearing about the kids N grand kids.
May his essence give comfort.

Dearest Family of Dr. Michael Colburn, I was a patient of Dr. Colburn, and I must say what a great doctor he was. I would come monthly from Fremont for his wonderful care. I truly hope that all the wonderful memories made will bring comfort to Mrs. Colburn and family at this difficult time.

Many wonderful memories with Mike and Jean. Grateful for each and everyone. Weddings, Kaiser, 49er/Packer Games, New Years Eves, Arnold, Home Improvements and many more. Loved every minute spent with you both. One of the best was getting lost in Arnold’s woods near a pond because we couldn’t drive back to the cabin after celebrating New Years Eve 😭🎉 Will never forget our time together♥️ Jeanco did have her flashlight on her cell phone to guide us back 👍

Sweet Memories with wonderful Friends. Weddings, Arnold, 49er/Packer games, Kaiser, Politics, New Years Eves, So grateful for so much more. Best memory? Getting lost in the Arnold woods after New Years Eve Party 🎉 JeanCo got us back to the cabin with her cell phone flashlight 😭

Memories of Michael
I first met Michael Colburn as a student rotating through his Kaiser clinic. My recollection of him was a gentle quiet stoic doctor. Fast forward to 14 years later, he joined me in my private practice and I never regretted it. He shared his years of wisdom which elevated treatment of patients.
He gave me valuable advice and confidence to defend myself when the podiatric board investigated an erroneous patient complaint against me.
He shed tears for me when I lost my daughter.
He shared joy of my rainbow baby when he finally arrived.
He’s a thoughtful man who has touched so many lives of patients and aspiring medical professionals.
He makes the world a better place.

I grew up across the street from Co, so I've known him just about as long as anyone. We were good pals, playing Monopoly and Whiffle ball all day long on Boxwood Drive. I knew his family pretty well..it's fair to say he shined the brightest.

Our many years together found us body surfing at 14th Street, hopping the barb wire fence at Lincoln High for some extra-curricular water polo practice, hitch hiking to the best beaches in Hawaii, and life guarding all summer at City College pool.

Co was always fun, diligent, responsible, and a little more serious than most of his peers. We all knew he was going to be a success at whatever he chose to do with his life. The glowing words from his patients is no surprise -- he was a thoughtful and caring guy from the beginning.

The world will miss him.

So many wonderful memories of times with Mike. From winning a City of San Jose basketball championship in sixth grade, with Mr. Lewis coaching us, to playing screenball at Cory, to riding bikes all over, to trying to re-do, in sophomore chemistry class, the famous Miller and Urey creation of amino acids (fortunately Mr. Boland called a halt before we blew up the building). Seeing Iron Butterfly and an amazing percussionist named Pulse in 1969, then talking about it last year with Ray Umeda as if it had been just the day before. Playing football on Boxwood with Bob Kustel. Group studying like crazy for one of Mr. Desch's physiology final exams.. All good stuff, and now he's not here, way before we were ready for that. His memory will be a blessing.

I grew up across the street from Co, so I've known him as long as just about anyone, We were good pals, playing Monopoly and Whiffle ball on Boxwood Drive. I knew his family pretty well and it's fair to say he shined the brightest.

Our many years together found us body surfing at 14th Street, hopping the barb wire fence at Lincoln High's pool for some extra-curricular water polo practice, hitch hiking to the best beach in Hawaii, and life guarding a couple of summers at City College pool.

Co was alway fun, diligent, a little more serious than most of his peers. We all knew he was going to be a success at whatever he chose to do with his life. The glowing words from his patients is no surprise -- he was always a thoughtful and caring guy. The world will miss him.

I grew up across the street from Co, so I've known him as long as just about anyone. We were good pals, playing Monopoly and Whiffle ball all summer. I knew his family pretty well, and it's fair to say he shined the brightest.

Our many years together found us in Santa Cruz, body surfing ate 14th Street, hopping the barb wire fence at Lincoln High for some extra-curricular water polo practice, hitch hiking to the beach in Hawaii, and life guarding all summer at City College pool.

Co was always fun, diligent, a little more serious than most of his peers. We all knew that he was going to be a success at whatever he chose to do with his life.

The glowing words from his patients is no surprise -- he was a thoughtful and caring guy from the beginning.

The world will miss him.

I grew up across the street from Co, so I’ve known him as long as just about anyone. We were good pals, playing Monopoly and Whiffle ball during the summers. I knew his family pretty well, and it’s fair to say he shined the brightest.

Our many years together found us body surfing at 14th Street, hopping the barb-wire fence at Lincoln High’s swimming pool for extra-curricular water polo practice, hitch hiking to the best beaches in Hawaii, and life guarding all summer at City College pool.

Co was always fun, diligent, a little more serious than most of his peers, and we all knew he was going to be a success at whatever he chose to do with his life. The glowing words from his patients is no surprise – he was a thoughtful and caring guy from the beginning.

The world will miss him.

From grade school through UCSD, Co and I tested and loved life together. Mike Colburn was...is a gentle spirit, and a cornerstone of much joy and discovery for me when we were kids.

Dr. Colburn went on to help untold throngs of people, and spearheaded NorCal Kaiser's podiatric surgical program. I've always had a sense of friendship pride knowing that about this talented guy.

Thank you for being so true to your heart, Co, and for finding why and what you came here to do.

My love to you, Jean, in these difficult times. But I know you're gonna catch up with him when it's time.

See you soon,

Herb

While processing the news of Mike’s passing, I was flooded with so many wonderful memories. Memories such as; American Little League on Newhall Street, playing basketball and football for Mr. Lewis at Cory and the Hoover competitive swim team. Parties at Mrs. Bell’s house while Herby, Mike and I attended San Jose City College. The years Herby Bell, Mike and Jeannie and I lived in Pacific Beach attending college in San Diego.

We lived within a couple blocks of each other and there were so many surf sessions down the street for where we lived. We would venture north with our boards stacked on Mike’s white VW Bug, with the fat tires and chrome rims. Mike and I also drove airport shuttle vans serving several hotels on Mission Bay and Hotel Circle.

My favorite memory is the night Debbie and I were married, fifty years ago this coming May. After the ceremony, Mike, Jeannie, and Herby treated us to a “two for one” lobster dinner at a local restaurant for our wedding reception. During dinner, Mike stood up and sang a unique rendition of the song, Moon River. I so wish we had cell phones then to capture this on video.

Great times with a great friend. Godspeed Mike.

John Chiappe

Dad, every day I am reminded of how wonderful you were as a dad. My favorite memory is riding on your back under water in the pool - I made you take me on these under water rides again and again. I felt so safe and secure hanging on to you and yet somehow totally free. This is how you were as a father too - allowing us freedom while making us always feel safe and secure.

I’m so thankful to have these memories of you, dad. They are special blessings, especially on the days that it feels impossible to go on.

Love you, dad.

Dr Colburn.... I'm so glad I got the chance to work with you, and hear all of your stories about your family, and trips, and especially seeing photos of your grandkids. Also, even though I am a Raider fan and you were a 49er fan I would still listen to you brag about them winning... ha ha. Sure gonna miss you Dr. C !

What can I say about you Dear Dr. Colburn that so many others who knew you already know. So many things. You were the best doctor; kind, smart, giving, caring, professional, with heart. I always saw beneath that stern way you had, there was a huge heart of a man who wanted to give his life to his faith, his family, and his adopted family, his patients. You did it all as best you could; choosing to work many years..

The last time Bill and I saw you, you were so excited about your newest grandchild, Colton. You knew it was time to be with your family, so you retired.

When I got a call about your passing, shock is an understatement. Bill felt the same way. I remember thinking about you at Christmas and Bill and I were going to send a card, but didn't know if it would be a boundary, so I didn't. Doctor, this is my card. I celebrate you and know that a room full of family, friends, students, colleagues, and patients who knew you will be there too. You taught so many young doctors and one of my favorite docs was someone you worked with during your college years. You shared how he went on to be a bio-mechanical expert, and you went on to be a surgeon and teacher.

But you didn't forget that bio-mechanical stuff. And that for me, personally made all the difference.

I am so grateful to have been one of your patients. You got me out of a wheelchair - you stayed with the case when things got complex, RSD is a bad actor. Despite the time and energy, it took to care for me, you never abandoned the ship. My husband and you had great times discussing mechanics.

You and hel discussed biomechanics. Bill is a mechanical genius, (not w/body) but with machines; and you spoke the same language. I did not.

Thank you for your generosity of spirit, of time and for teaching Bill, and encouraging me; telling me to trust you and to trust him, and I did.

A year ago you got me walking after knee surgery with a pair of orthotics you modified. They are a bit tired, and you too had to be so tired at the end.

God blessed you with time to say goodbye to your family and though I do not know your family, I want to humbly say thank you for sharing your Michael Warren Colburn with so many children and adults who desperately needed his expertise.

It was a long road from Kaiser and to the other places you worked. But Bill and I followed you from Antioch to wherever you landed. Y

Now you are now Home.

May you rest in peace

Carol

The first time I met Michael was at Hoover Jr High School in 7th grade and I can say without a doubt, he was as kind, funny, thoughtful, supportive, and a true friend then and throughout our lifetime and will miss him dearly. Love to his beautiful wife and my friend, Jeannie, and to his children and grandchildren❤️

Not a day goes by that I don't think of you! Love you dad