Herbert Mabie

A decorated 20-year veteran of the U. S. Air Force, he retired from active service in 1993 with the rank of senior master sergeant.

He was born March, 8, 1953, in Grand Junction to Ernest and Louise Mabie, He graduated from Widefield High School in 1972, and received a bachelor’s of science and a master’s degree in occupational education from the University of Alaska.

Herbie married the former Ruth Gustin on Aug. 25, 1972, in Colorado Springs. They traveled the world together from Paris, Belgium, to Hawaii. He never should have taken Ruth to Hawaii as that became their go-to place a couple of times a year from Alaska. When he traveled alone with the military, he always brought back keepsakes for Ruth, such as a lace tablecloth from Italy, crystal from Okinawa, and shell chandeliers from the Philippines. Even when he was halfway around the world, Ruth was always on his mind. As they spoke on their wedding day, not even in death shall we part.

He was a dedicated long-distance runner, competing in more than 100 races in locations around the world.

He was a loving, proud and patient father to three children, 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. It was routine for him to brag about the accomplishments of his three children. Easy-going and supportive, the children could do no wrong in his eyes, an attitude he carried over to his grandchildren. Each of them were special in their own ways, and he never raised his voice. He loved animals, especially his dog Muttley, who played with rocks Herbie collected on his daily runs.

He was always willing to lend a hand to those in need, cleaning snow from the driveway of neighbors or helping friends repair cars. He made friends easily, and kept those relationships for his entire life.

As a volunteer for the Iditarod sled dog race from Anchorage to Nome, he made sure the sled dogs had enough to eat along the way.

He always put everyone’s needs ahead of his own.

After retiring from the Air Force, he was an education guidance counselor for the Air Force in Anchorage, Alaska, and at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora.

During active duty, he was part of the mission to free American hostages being held in Iran in December, 1979. He was a tactical aircraft superintendent and aircraft hydraulics systems technician, stationed in Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois; Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Montana; Castle Air Force Base in Merced, Calif., RAF Lakenheath in England; Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, S.D.; Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Wash.; Anderson Air Force Base in Guam; and Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska.

Among the medals and honors he earned were the meritorious service medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters, Air Force commendation medal with one oak leaf cluster, good conduct medal with silver oak leaf cluster, National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star, NCO professional military education graduate ribbon with oak leaf cluster, longevity service award with four oak leaf clusters, and an overseas ribbon with two oak leaf clusters.

An avid fisherman and outdoors lover, he enjoyed camping trips in Alaska, fishing for halibut and salmon. He was a skilled mechanic and expert marksman. He was a member of the Air Force Association.

During the later years of his life, he took comfort in music, especially tunes by Glen Miller, Louis Armstrong, Paul MCartney, and Hawaiian music.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his widow; son Jeffrey Mabie of Aurora; daughters Heather (Khristian) Bombeck of Salt Lake City, Utah; and Amber (Machel) Keens-Dumas of Tampa, Fla.; grandchildren Chantel (Chauncey) Harrison of Colorado Springs; Dante Keens-Dumas of St. Petersburg, Fla.; Malachi Keens-Dumas of Tampa, Fla.; Amara Keens-Dumas of Tampa, Fla.; Jakai Keens-Dumas of Colorado Springs; Gabrielle Keens-Dumas of Colorado Springs; Kenzie Keen-Dumas of Tampa, Fla.; Malia Keens-Dumas of Tampa, Fla.; Malcolm Keens-Dumas of Tampa, Fla.; Bella Bombeck of Salt Lake City, Utah; Khristian Bombeck of Salt Lake, Utah; and Katalina Bombeck of Salt Lake City, Utah; great-grandchildren Allejandra Harrison of Colorado Springs; and Kylo Harrison of Colorado Springs; and his seven sisters, one brother and several cousins..

Visitation will be at the Memorial Gardens Chapel from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4. Funeral services with full military honors will follow.