Issac was born in North Dakota and attended the Agricultural College in Fargo. He later became a wheat farmer and auctioneer of farming equipment and livestock. He moved to Long Beach, California in 1946 and worked for Douglas Aircraft as a Master Mechanic. He wisely bought several properties and became a landlord. He was fondly known by the nickname "Colby". He retired from Douglas in 1960 at the age of 65. He owned a large home on the northwest corner of Newport Avenue at 6th Street, which he sold in 1963 to the Alpha-Beta supermarket chain, who sadly tore down the meticulously-cared-for property to make room for their parking lot. He then downsized and moved into a small 1-bedroom apartment at the back of the courtyard apartment building he owned at 924 Redondo Avenue, near 9th. It still stands today. He cared deeply for his tenants, who were mostly older folks. Colby often would plant flowers along the walkway, replace or repair windows and repaint units himself whenever a tenant moved out. His tenants loved living there, so it was rare any of them moved out. 3 or 4 days a week he worked at Universal News at 34 South Pine, owned by his long-time fiance Vesta Bowman. Though they never married or lived together, the couple was inseparable, having dinner nearly every night and spending holidays together. He was a meticulously groomed, hard-working, and dedicated man who was also an intensely loyal friend. Many who came into the newspaper shop as customers became his friends over the years. They would often stop by to visit the shop just to chat with Colby. Tragically, in 1967, Colby had a stroke, which left him semi-paralyzed on one side. This was discouraging to him since he was so self-sufficient. Though he kept a brave face, and started rehabilitation living at home, he had a second stroke a few months later. This time had to go to a retirement home. Because of his fiercely independent spirit, this embarrassed him, however, Vesta lovingly visited Colby nearly every day until he finally passed from a heart attack 3 years later. This beloved, wonderful and courageous man will never be forgotten.