SANTA CLARITA – The College of the Canyons family is mourning the loss of one of its own: Lee Corbin, a longtime faculty member and athletic coach who died at his Las Vegas home in January, just seven months after retiring from College of the Canyons. He was 62.

Mr. Corbin arrived at College of the Canyons in 1973, playing a pivotal role in developing the curriculum and setting the standards in the new college’s Mathematics Department. He also coached the golf team and held many offices in the COC Faculty Association.

“Lee was a very sensitive, thoughtful individual who brought passion to the things he cared about,” college Superintendent-President Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook said. “He contributed to the growth, development, character and values of College of the Canyons and, in the process, earned the respect, appreciation and affection of his colleagues. Lee certainly will be missed.”

He was born in La Junta, Colo. on Aug. 17, 1942, attended grade school in Timpas, Colo., and graduated from La Junta High School in 1960. He attended Otero Junior College on a football scholarship and continued his education at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, raduating with a degree in math and education. He received his master’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa.

He enjoyed deep-sea diving, underwater photography and traveling. He loved sports and traveled the country playing golf. He had moved to North Las Vegas to pursue his passion for playing golf.

A celebration of Mr. Corbin’s life will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15 in the Cougar Den, the picnic area immediately south of Cougar Stadium, where friends and colleagues will share their memories of him and bid him a respectful farewell.

Services are scheduled 10 a.m. Feb. 18 at the Peacock-Larson Funeral Home Chapel in La Junta, Colo. Interment will be held at the Higbee Cemetery South of La Junta.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the College of the Canyons Foundation, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91355. Please note that your contribution is for the Lee Corbin Memorial Scholarship.