David Robert Colman

David Robert Colman, 86, passed away peacefully on August 14, 2025, in the arms of his wife and surrounded by his two daughters and son-in-law. Born on December 13, 1938, in Laurelton, New York, to Alice and Edward Colman, David grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1956. He later studied at UCLA and UC Berkeley before earning his medical degree from Chicago Medical School (Rosalind Franklin University).

David served as a general surgeon in the U.S. Air Force and completed his residency in urology at Kaiser Foundation Hospital. He went on to build a distinguished career in Torrance, California, practicing at Little Company of Mary and Torrance Memorial, where he also led the Miracle of Living community education program for 25 years.

A lifelong traveler, David explored 76 countries across all seven continents. With his beloved wife of 27 years, Diane Royce Vanderlip, he especially cherished journeys to Africa and Antarctica. David was an avid gardener—taking pride in growing beautiful orchids and roses and an abundance of vegetables, all of which he loved sharing with his friends and family. David served for 19 years as chairman of the Landscape Committee in his Palmilla community. For nearly a decade, he looked forward to the camaraderie of weekly lunches with his ROMEOs group (Retired Old Men Exchanging Opinions).

David will be remembered for his devotion to medicine, his love of adventure, his passion for gardening, his thirst for knowledge, and his warmth with family and friends. He is survived by his wife Diane, daughters Debbie Colman and Dina Mitchell, son-in-law David Mitchell, grandson Austin Zimmerman, and many dear relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society—or simply honor David by pausing to appreciate the beauty of flowers.

A favorite quote of David’s reflects the way he lived his life, "Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, 'Wow! What a ride!'" True to these words, David’s life was a ride well lived!