Corbett, Joseph D.T. (Jody)

Joseph D.T. (Jody) Corbett, 60, of Colorado Springs, Colo., formerly of Vinton, died Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, after a lengthy illness. He was a patient at the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, Colo. His entire family was with him at the time of his passing. Jody was born May 9, 1949, in Marshalltown.

Jody was a graduate of Washington High School in Vinton, class of 1967. While attending the University of Northern Iowa, he enlisted in the Marines. He served in Vietnam. He later graduated from the University of Iowa, with a degree in chemical engineering.

He specialized in water treatment and purification. His work took him to many foreign countries to update facilities in grain processing plants in addition to many plants in the United States.

Jody was creative doing artwork, wood working, and carpentry with the precision of an engineer. He could build on the scale of a matchstick jewelry box for his daughter, or a house for his family. He played several musical instruments. He enjoyed gardening and ponds.

He is survived by his son, Tyler, of Portland, Ore.; daughter, Rachel of New York, N.Y.; parents, Dr. Oran and Shirley (Lee) Corbett of Vinton; sister, Judith (Peter) Bauer of Columbus, Wis.; two brothers, Cameron (Brenda) of Grundy Center and Mitchell (Pat) of Urbandale; several nieces and nephews; and two special uncles, Mark (Susan) Nelson of Phoenix, Ariz., and Michael Nelson of San Diego, Calif.; and his wife, Nancy, of Colorado Springs, Colo.