Robert Andrew Collins 1915-2008
STAFFORD, COLLINS, WOLF, WEIGHNER
Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 2/2/2009 at 09:20:56
Robert Andrew Collins
Robert A. Collins, 93, of Waukon died Monday, December 15, 2008 at his home in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 20 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, with Fr. Joseph Schneider, Fr. Robert Weighner and Fr. James Weighner officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may call from 3-7 p.m. Friday, December 19 at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, where there will be a 3 p.m. scripture service.
Robert Andrew Collins was born June 7, 1915 in Waukon, the son of James and Ida Rose (Stafford) Collins. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Bob got his formal education at St. Patrick School, Waukon High School, Waukon Junior College and Loras College in Dubuque.
Following his schooling, he started working road construction in several midwestern and western states, taking on the role of construction engineer. Following that he moved to Alaska and worked as a civilian engineer on several large military projects during WWII. After eight years he left Alaska and worked on projects in Nevada, Missouri and Arkansas before returning to Waukon, where he joined his mother at Collins Real Estate and Insurance.
In the late 1950s, Bob co-founded Pigloo and Impro Products, Inc., both of Waukon. Impro Products continues today and is growing rapidly in its domestic and international sales of animal herd biohealth products and more focused human applications. Bob had continued to be active in the company until very recently.
He also started the Thomas A. Collins Charitable Trust with his sister, Mary Elsie. The trust works to support Catholic education and distributes thousands of rosaries world-wide annually. Throughout his life Bob was also active in promoting sustainable agriculture on several of his area farms.
Bob was an avid reader and history buff. He had an ardent interest in Catholic education and politics and was a faithful member of St. Patrick Catholic Church. He was a generous man, enjoyed spending time visiting with people, and was very devoted and supportive of his entire family.
Survivors include 15 nieces and nephews and 35 great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Tom, Patrick, and James Collins; five sisters, Sr. Mary Redempta Collins, Mary Elsie Collins, Alice Collins, Ida Rose Wolf, and Catherine Weighner; two brothers-in-law, Ed Wolf and Phil Weighner; a sister-in-law, Lillian Collins; and a great-niece, Katie Rose Weighner.
Honorary casketbearers are Mary Jo Wolf, Sue Miller, Mary Schell, Laurie Martin, Brigid Cota, Barb Smed, Mollie Marti and Cathy DeValk. Casketbearers are Tom, Phil, Paul, Mark and Steve Weighner and Jim Campbell.
The Waukon Standard, December 17, 2008
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