Collins, Robert A. 1925-2002

COLLINS, MAY, BERGER

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/30/2007 at 15:47:33

LE MARS, Iowa -- Robert A. Collins, 76, of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Le Mars, died Friday, April 12, 2002, at Hospice of the Valley Eckstine Center in Scottsdale.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at First Baptist Church in Le Mars, with the Rev. Jon Meredith officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Cemetery, Le Mars, with military rites conducted by American Legion Wasmer Post 241. Visitation will be after 2 p.m. Thursday, with the family present at 6 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars.

Robert was born Nov. 30, 1925, in Le Mars, the son of Walter O. and Margaret Ann (May) Collins. He was a 1944 graduate of Le Mars Central High School. Immediately upon graduation from high school, he served in the U.S. Army, Co. 1, 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 17th Airborne Division until his honorable discharge on Nov. 17, 1945. He received the Purple Heart Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Bronze Service Arrowhead and the Bronze Star Medal. After returning from the service, he attended Westmar College in Le Mars.

Robert married Lona Alice Berger on Aug. 29, 1947, in Weiner, Ark. She passed away Oct. 8, 1989. He married Elaine Carroll on March 20, 1992.

He worked all his life at Gus Pech Manufacturing Co., a family business purchased by his father from Mr. Gus Pech in 1900. He was office manager from 1946 to 1950, sales manager from 1950 to 1955, partner with his brother, Wayne, from 1955 to 1957, owner from 1957 to 1965, and president from 1965 to 1986, when he retired and turned the company over to his sons, Gregg and Cris Collins.

He was an original member of the Wasmer Golden Kernels Drum and Bugle Corps. from 1953 to 1969, where he was the head snare drummer. The group won five state contests and took fifth in the nation in Las Vegas, Nev., in 1962. He also played drums for the Mearl Lake Band for several years.

He was on the Le Mars Planning Board for 10 years, the Westmar Advisory Board, a member of the Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Commerce of the United States, National Water Well Association, National Association of Manufacturers, Iowa Water Well Association, Fraternal Order of Elks, and American Legion Wasmer Post 241. He was an active member of First Baptist Church, serving on many committees and was a longtime choir member.

He was a pilot and flew his plane for many years for business and pleasure. He traveled all over the U.S., Canada, and worldwide servicing and selling Gus Pech drilling rigs. His travels took him to Mexico, Thailand, South American countries, European countries, Ethiopia, Algeria, Lebanon, Cambodia and Russia.

In 1987, he was presented the Governor's Export Award by Gov. Terry E. Branstad in recognition of creation of jobs and economic growth in Iowa through exporting. In 1987, he received the "Captain of Industry" award by the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce. In 1992, the National Ground Water Association (NGWA) presented him the NGWA Life Membership at the annual convention in Las Vegas. At this convention, he also received an award from the NGWA Manufactures Division group for special recognition for meritorious service and exemplary efforts to elevate the stature of the ground water industry. On Sept. 12, 1998, he was awarded the "Trooper of the Year" award by the 50th Airborne annual reunion.

He is survived by his wife, Elaine; sons, Steve and his wife, Barbara of Lexington, Mass., Gregg of Le Mars, and Cris and his wife, Christy of Le Mars; four grandchildren, Ryan Collins of Lexington, Mass., and Nicole, Corinne and Parker Collins, all of Le Mars; and his special Maltese dog, Hoi-Hoi.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Wayne Collins; two sisters, Connie Totman and Betty Karl; and two half brothers, Maynard and Harold Collins.

Pallbearers will be Larry Bowers, John Brangwin, Ted Collins, Doug Downing, Ron Kelly, Russ Kroepel, Mike McDougall and Gordon Tentinger. Honorary pallbearers will be all the Gus Pech Manufacturing employees.

[Part of the Darrell Easton Obit Collection; source: Sioux City Journal]