Clare J. Colman

Funeral services with military honors for Clare J. Colman, of Burlingame, Calif., will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Oak Hill Cemetery. A reception will be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Locke Atrium in Eaton Hall, part of Kansas University’s School of Engineering.Mr. Colman, formerly of Lawrence, died July 27, 2007.He was born on a farm west of Lawrence, the son of Willis Colman and Nellie Van Neste Colman. He attended Winter School and graduated from Lecompton High School, later attending Kansas University, where he earned Bachelor’s of Science in civil engineering.Mr. Colman served in combat during World War II with the Army’s 89th Infantry Division in France and Germany. The division liberated the Ordruf camp, the first to be liberated by American forces. He was later assigned to the American headquarters in Vienna, Austria, serving as civil affairs officer.He worked for Magnolia Petroleum Co., an early unit of Mobil Oil Corp., in Dallas. During his 37 years with Mobil, Mr. Colman was involved in projects across the world, including offshore planning, design and construction of platforms and producing facilities and the development of technology to operate in deep water.He retired in 1984 and became a full-time volunteer. He was chairman of the New Canaan, Conn., high school building, as well as chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission. He was involved in professional societies and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.Mr. Colman lived in Connecticut for 37 years before he moved to Burlingame in 2001.He served as chaplain for the local VFW and American Legion. He was also a member of the Sons in Retirement, branch 31, and the First Presbyterian Church of Burlingame.He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Katherine, of the home; a daughter, Diana Kudeki, Burlingame; two sons, Roger, Newburgh, Ind., and Edward, Houston; six grandchildren and one great-grandson.The family suggests memorial contributions to the Kansas University Endowment Association, School of Engineering, or the First Presbyterian Church of Burlingame, in care of the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.Online condolences may be made at www.rumsey-yost.com.