A Life Story
David “Dave” Skelding Corbett passed away on July 20th, 2026 after 97 years of love, laughter, heartache, adventure, and all the messy, beautiful moments that make a life meaningful. Born in Aberdeen, Washington, on September 22nd, 1928, Dave grew up in Vancouver, Canada. He attended Lord Byng Secondary School where he played football, soccer and rugby, while also playing multiple instruments as part of a dance band. He graduated in 1945 and pursued a senior matriculation year at King George Secondary School. Dave joined the 72nd Seaforth Highlander Cadet Corps of the Canadian Army shortly thereafter. Eager to see the world, he enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1948 and began a 25-year military career, which included tours in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. While in Vietnam, he was awarded a Bronze Star for meritorious service. He met nursing student Janice Talbert while studying Mandarin Chinese at Yale University in New Haven, CT and had to ask her out three times before she finally accepted. They were married in 1956. This was followed by the birth of their sons, David Jr., in Taipei, Taiwan, Brian in San Francisco, CA, and Scott in Victorville, CA. After retiring from the Air Force in 1973, the family moved to Savannah, Georgia, where Dave began working in the civilian sector and attended college on the GI Bill. He graduated from Armstrong State College with a Bachelor’s Degree in History in 1978 and a Master’s Degree in History in 1982. He began his teaching career in 1979 and taught at Savannah Christian Preparatory School from 1980 until 2004. In addition to teaching social studies and world history, he coached cross country and helped found the soccer program—a contribution the school honored by naming their home pitch Dave Corbett Field. Dave was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife of 51 years, Janice T. Corbett; his son, David Skelding Corbett Jr.; and his brother, Ron Corbett of Vernon, British Columbia. He is survived by his sons, Brian (Jan), and Scott. His grandchildren, Jason (Angela), Jeff (Michael), Alexandra (Jared), AJ, and Jacob; his great-granddaughter, Aria; his sister-in-law Lee Talbert; and his nephews Mark and Bobby and their families. He is also survived by his beloved dog, Noke. There will be a graveside service on August 3, 2026 at 10 a.m. at Greenwich Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be sent to the Humane Society for Greater Savannah, or the Matthew Reardon Center for Autism.