Herbert Comet Obituary

Comet, Jr.
Herbert L.
Comet, Jr.
October 3, 1939
May 25, 2023

Herbert L. Comet Jr. , 83, passed away peacefully on May 25, 2023 surrounded by loved ones.

Herb was born October 3, 1939, the second of six children, in Charleroi, PA to Herbert L. Comet, Sr. and Mary Leotta Comet. "Herbie", as he was known in Monessen, PA, spent his childhood playing baseball at local parks and found a love for dancing as a teen at local dance halls. After graduating from Monessen H.S. (1957), he spent 3 years in the Navy as a sonar operator. He earned a Bachelors in Teaching (1963) from California University (PA), and a Masters in Physical Sciences from the Univ. of Pennsylvania (1967), then taught physics at his high school alma mater post graduation.

Herb met Marilyn Bartoletti, from nearby Monongahela, PA in the late 1950s. They loved going dancing, sharing time with family/friends in the "Mon-city" area, attended college together, and eventually married on June 12, 1965. They welcomed daughter, Kristin (1968), and son, Doug (1970). With babies on the way Herb transitioned from teaching to a career in computers. Herb and Marilyn settled down with their children in Bethel Park, PA until 1979 when a desire for warmer weather drew them to Tampa, FL. There Herb enjoyed fun times with family and friends, boating, scuba diving, coaching baseball, and excursions with Marilyn.

During his 35 year IT career, Herb worked on IBM Mainframes and ultimately finished supporting AIX systems for Watkins Motor Lines, retiring in 2003.
In 1995, Marilyn was diagnosed with breast cancer. Herb struggled alongside Marilyn through her courageous 14 year cancer battle.

Herb eventually found new life reconnecting with a shared high school/college friend of Marilyn's-Jean. He moved to Colorado Springs, CO, and married Alice "Jean" Tiemens on May 28, 2011. They shared interests in music, theater, church choir, hiking, and frequent travel to mountains and more. Herb always took pride and enjoyment in his landscape/gardening. Jean also inspired him to revisit his gift for sketching and painting.

Herb leaves behind his devoted wife of 12 years, Jean Tiemens; children, Kristin (Joe) Shinnick of Niceville, FL, Doug (Ingrid) Comet of Dade City, FL, Herman (Tang-Lin Teo-Tiemens) Tiemens of Colorado Springs, CO, Sandra (Aaron Turner) Tiemens of Colorado Springs, CO; grandchildren Zachary, Mackenzie, Ashlyn, Collin and Maya; sisters Elsa, Debbie, Cindy; and Jean's loving family in Colorado Springs.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 8:30am at Broadmoor Community Church, 315 Lake Ave. Colorado Springs, CO 80906. Herb will be laid to rest there in the Glen. Reception to follow at Cheyenne Mountain Resort.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
(A portion of Herb's ashes will rest with his beloved first wife of 44 years, Marilyn B. Comet, in Monongahela, PA.)